JP2001185006A - Method of controlling automatic return of electric parts operational switches of car - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of automatically switching an assistant brake device operated by the electrical parts operational switches installed in the steering column of a driver's seat in a car, that the switches automatically return to the previous operational positions, according to the driving conditions, thus smoothing the drive together with mitigating the burden of a driver. SOLUTION: As an assistant brake switch (E/R switch 12) is switched by an operation lever 4 through a switching mechanism 10 for an assistant brake switch loaded at a casing 2, an exhaust brake and a retarder brake is operated, while a solenoid 20 for the switching mechanism 10 is driven on the basis of an operation signal for an accelerator and a clutch contained in an RET. ARC 31 as an automatic return control means 30 and a signal from an E/R switch 12 when a switch 22 is on, and the E/R switch 12 is returned to [2] exhaust brake ON position and the retarder brake off position through a roll protrusion 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention automatically switches an auxiliary brake mechanism, which is operated by an electric component operation switch on a handle column of a driver's seat in a vehicle, according to a driving situation. The present invention relates to a method for automatically returning an electric component operation switch in a vehicle, which can automatically return a switch operation to a position before the operation, thereby reducing a burden on a driver and contributing to a smoother driving operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles, for example, trucks, buses, various work vehicles, and the like have been increasing in size and weight, and the performance of brakes has been improved for safety. However, the service brakes are still overburdened, and friction materials such as drum brake linings and disc brake pads are severely consumed, and there are problems such as vapor lock. Brakes have been adopted. Such auxiliary brakes include exhaust brakes, enhanced engine brakes, retarder brakes, and the like. Normally, these auxiliary brakes can be operated by an electric component operation switch provided on a steering wheel column of a driver's seat, and can be used by a driver as needed.

[0003]

However, in the past, the auxiliary brake was temporarily released when the accelerator pedal and the clutch pedal were depressed, and again when the accelerator pedal and the clutch pedal were released. Unless a brake is turned on and a manual switch is operated, such an operation is set to be repeated (see FIG. 9). For this reason, if the driver forgets to turn off the manual switch, the retarder switch continues to be turned on even when it is unnecessary, leading to deterioration of the fuel consumption rate, and complicated operation of the electric component operation switch in order to improve the fuel consumption. There is a possibility of causing the property. Therefore, there is a need for a means for simplifying and rationalizing the driving operation. The present invention has been proposed to respond to such a demand, and an auxiliary brake mechanism, which is operated by an electric component operation switch on a handle column of a driver's seat in a vehicle, is automatically provided in accordance with driving conditions. Automatic return of the electrical component operation switch in the vehicle, which can switch and automatically return the switch operation of the electrical component operation switch to the position before the operation, reducing the burden on the driver and contributing to smoother driving operation It is an object to provide a control method.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electric component in a vehicle having a plurality of different operation functions by executing the above operation by switching the operation by various predetermined operations. An electric component operation switch in a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of contacts that communicate with a circuit for performing each operation; and manual operation means for switching electrical connection of the contacts. The electrical components are operated by switching the contacts by means, and during execution of the operation,
By setting the electrical component to an operation state different from the operation by various predetermined operations, the different operation state is detected,
The switching operation position by the manual operation means is set to be automatically switched to a specific switching operation position or to be returned. Further, the present invention provides a switch contact for inserting a steering shaft, holding a housing near a steering wheel, closing a circuit for operating an exhaust brake and a retarder brake as an auxiliary brake in this housing, and switching these switch contacts. An electrical component operation switch having operation means for operating, in a state in which a switch contact is switched by the operation means and an exhaust brake is actuated, and a retarder brake is actuated.
Once the accelerator operation or the clutch operation is detected, the switching operation position of the switch contact by the operation means is set to automatically return to the operation position where the retarder brake is released. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to set such that it is possible to select whether to automatically return the switching operation position of the switch contact to the operation position where the retarder brake is released or not to automatically return the operation position.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In implementing a method for automatically resetting an electric component operation switch in a vehicle according to the present invention, one embodiment of a combination switch will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. I do. FIG.
1 shows a combination switch 1 in a vehicle such as a truck, a bus, and various work vehicles. This combination switch 1 includes a steering shaft (not shown).
It is held near a steering wheel (not shown) at the upper end, and has a substantially U-shaped space 3 in the center of the housing 2 for entering the steering shaft. The housing 2 is equipped with a large number of terminals and components (described later) having built-in contacts, other mechanical components (described later), and the like. Operation levers 4 and 5 for switching these contacts are connected and disconnected. Each is provided on the opposite side. One operating lever 4
Is, for example, the exhaust brake &
For driving retarder brakes, other wipers, washers, hazards, into time, etc., in the case of exhaust brakes & retarder brakes and hazards, the operation lever 4 is operated in a specific direction and stroke, respectively. A symbol mark for the auxiliary brake and a symbol mark indicating the operation position are provided in the middle of the lever. The wiper, washer, int time, and the like are operated by operating a rotary operation knob 6, a rotation changeover switch 7, and a push button (not shown) provided at the end of the lever. The other operation lever 5 is for driving, for example, turn, lane change, cornering, dimmer & passing, lighting, auto cruise, fog, and the like. It is needless to say that the combinations and functions of the respective switches described above are merely examples.

In the combination switch 1, an exhaust brake and a retarder brake, which are auxiliary brakes that are operated by an operation lever 4, are provided with an auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 (FIG. 2) mounted on the housing 2.
) By operating an operation lever 4 to switch an auxiliary brake switch (described later). The components constituting the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 are disposed at a position on the side of the housing 2 where the operation lever 4 is attached. That is, although not described in detail, the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 is connected to the operation lever 4 and, when the operation lever 4 is operated, pivotally held by the housing 2 so as to be able to squeeze under the regulation of the articulation arm 11a. It has a lever 11. The articulating arm 11a has a tip movably abutting a step 2a formed on the housing 2 via a roller member R. The swing lever 11 is connected to an auxiliary brake switch, that is, an exhaust brake / retarder brake switch 12 (hereinafter, referred to as an E / R switch 12) via an interlocking arm 11b so as to be switchable. In addition, the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 allows the swing lever 11 to move the pivot arm 11 without using the operation lever 4.
A return mechanism 13 is provided for returning to a predetermined position (described later) via a and switching the E / R switch 12 via the interlocking arm 11b.

[0007] The E / R switch 12 is connected to the operation lever 4.
The auxiliary brake is [1] OFF (see FIG. 2), [2] exhaust brake ON, retarder brake OFF (see FIG. 3), [3] exhaust brake ON, retarder A switching contact is provided to turn on the brake (see FIG. 4). Further, the E / R switch 12 operates the return mechanism 13 by automatic return control means to be described later to link the swing lever 11 to return to the [2] exhaust brake ON and retarder brake OFF positions. Configuration.

Therefore, the return mechanism 13 will be described. The return mechanism 13 has a rocker arm 15 rotatably mounted on the edge 14 of the housing 2 and a rocker 16 (see FIG. 5). The rocker arm 15 has an end abutting on the articulating arm 11a of the swing lever 11, and an urging arm 15a for applying an urging force in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. And a locking arm 15b that is configured to abut and lock with an urging force. In this case, in the locking arm 15b, the rocker 1
6 A claw portion 18 is provided at the tip to be brought into contact with the urging force. On the other hand, the locker 16 has a support arm 16a provided at the tip thereof with a locking claw 19 for supporting the rocker arm 15 by abutting the claw portion 18 at the tip of the locking arm 15b. The supporting arm 16a has an operating arm 16b protruding in a direction shifted from the supporting arm 16a. The solenoid 2 is attached to the operating arm 16b of the rocker 16.
0 is connected to a drive shaft 20a of the solenoid 20 via an interlocking shaft 21 mounted in an orthogonal state. In addition, other than the solenoid 20, well-known driving means such as an air pressure driving means and a motor can be applied.

In the above-described return mechanism 13, when the E / R switch 14 is moved to the position of [3] Exhaust brake ON and retarder brake ON by the operating lever 4 under the urging of the tension spring 17, the above-mentioned joint is released. The urging arm 15 of the rocker arm 15 is moved by the moving arm 18.
a of the locking arm 15b to the stepped portion 2 of the housing 2.
a, the locking arm 1 in the rocker arm 15
5b the claw 18 at the tip of the support arm 1 in the locker 16
6a, the locking arm 1 is locked.
5b is made to project equally to the mountain side in the step portion 2a,
The E / R switch 14 is held at the position [3] by holding the articulating arm 18 through the articulating arm 18. When the solenoid 20 is excited by a signal from an automatic return control means (described later), the operating arm 16b of the rocker 16 is pulled in via the drive shaft 20a and the interlocking shaft 21, and the locking arm of the rocker arm 15 is operated. From the claw 18 at the tip of the 15b, the locker 16
The locking claw 19 of the supporting arm 16a is disengaged, and the rocker arm 15 is displaced in the counterclockwise direction by the urging force of the tension spring 17, so that the locking arm 15b projects in the same direction as the mountain side of the step portion 2a. The pivoted lever 11 is displaced to bring the articulating arm 18 to the center valley side of the stepped portion 2a, thereby displacing the swing lever 11 and moving the E / R switch 12 through the interlocking arm 11b to the [2] exhaust. It returns to the brake ON and retarder brake OFF positions.

Further, an auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 is provided on the housing 2 of the combination switch 1 so that the E / R switch 12 is returned to the position [2] by operating the operation lever 4 only manually. A switch 22 for turning on / off the function of the automatic return control means is provided (see FIG. 1).

The automatic return control means will now be described. That is, as the automatic return control means 30, as shown in FIG.
RET. ARC31) is incorporated. This RE
T. The ARC 31 is internally connected to the retarder terminal t1 of the E / R switch 12 for operating the retarder unit via the switch 22. The retarder terminal t1 is connected to an exhaust brake and an auxiliary brake ECU (not shown) for controlling the retarder unit. The RET. ARC31
Are wired so as to capture operation signals from the accelerator and the clutch. And RET. The ARC 31 is provided with an operation lever 4 and a swing lever 11 based on an operation signal of the accelerator and the clutch and a signal from the E / R switch 12 with the switch 22 turned on.
A solenoid 20 for returning the E / R switch 12 to the position [2] is connected. In FIG. 6, RET. Although the ARC 31 is shown as being built in the combination switch 1, RET. ARC3
1 can be built in the auxiliary brake controller outside the combination switch 1 or incorporated in another place.

In the automatic return control means 30 for the auxiliary brake in the combination switch 1 as described above, the RET. Procedure set in ARC31 (see FIG. 5)
Hereinafter, the operation will be described based on FIG. When driving, the driver operates the operation levers 4 and 5 of the combination switch 1 near the steering wheel in a specific direction, respectively.
By operating with the stroke, various electric components can be operated intensively. When the auxiliary brake is operated in addition to the normal brake, the auxiliary brake can be operated or released only by switching the operation lever 4. By turning on and off the switch 22 provided in the housing 2, the automatic return control means 30
Can be set to operate or cut off.

Then, the switch 22 is turned on,
FIG. 8 shows the operation when the automatic return function is set to operate.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First,
When the operating lever 4 is operated from the [1] OFF position to bring it to the [2] exhaust brake ON and retarder brake OFF positions, the swing lever 11
Is displaced, and the E / R switch 12 is interlocked, and the E / R switch 12 is set to the position [2]. At this time, the operation lever 4 can be operated with an appropriate sense of resistance (sense of articulation) by the regulating action of the articulating arm 11a. In the operation state of the auxiliary brake, when the accelerator pedal is depressed or the operation of depressing the clutch pedal to release the clutch is performed while driving, the exhaust brake is turned off and the accelerator pedal is returned,
When the clutch is engaged, the exhaust brake is again operated.

Further, by operating the operation lever 4, [3]
Exhaust brake ON, retarder brake ON
, The E / R switch 12 is interlocked to the position [3]. That is, when the E / R switch 12 is brought to the [3] exhaust brake ON and retarder brake ON positions by the operation lever 4, in this position, the exhaust brake and the retarder brake are in the ON state, and during normal driving, the synergistic effect is obtained. By the action, the function of the service brake can be effectively assisted, and the load on the service brake can be reduced.

When an accelerator operation or a clutch operation is performed in such a state, an operation signal for the accelerator and the clutch is output as RET. ARC31, and RET. AR
The solenoid 20 is excited by the driving power from C31. Thereby, the solenoid 20 is driven by the drive shaft 20a,
The locker 16 in the return mechanism 13 via the interlocking shaft 21
Of the rocker arm 15
Of the locker 1 from the claw portion 18 at the tip of the locking arm 15b.
The locking claw 19 of the support arm 16a in FIG. 6 is disengaged, and the rocker arm 15 is displaced counterclockwise by the urging force of the tension spring 17, so that the rocker arm 15b is equivalent to the crest side of the step portion 2a in the locking arm 15b. By retracting the protruding portion and bringing the articulating arm 18 to the center valley side of the step portion 2a, the swing lever 11 is displaced, and the E / R switch 12 is set to [2] via the interlocking arm 11b. ] It automatically returns to the position where the exhaust brake is ON and the retarder brake is OFF. Then, even if the accelerator operation and the clutch operation are stopped, the E / R switch 12
2. Exhaust brake ON, retarder brake
Since the switch remains in the OFF position, the retarder brake does not operate and only the exhaust brake operates.

As described above, the driver can operate the retarder brake only by switching the operation lever 4,
Can be released, clutch operation, or
Since the retarder brake is automatically released by the accelerator operation, the fuel consumption will not deteriorate.
Driving operation can be performed more smoothly.
In other words, in normal driving, running at least with the exhaust brake applied can reduce the load on the service brake, so that the exhaust brake is applied during normal driving,
In special driving situations, such as high-speed cruising on highways, driving on long downhills, and loading too much load, the retarder brake is applied to the service brake together with the exhaust brake. It is possible to secure a stronger braking force, contribute to safe driving, and to operate the accelerator or clutch once from the state where the retarder brake is applied together with the exhaust brake. The auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 automatically switches so that the vehicle travels with the retarder brake released, assuming that the above-described special driving situation has ended, so that there is no fear of forgetting to perform the release / return operation. Since this is not fixed again, since the retarder body is located on the propeller shaft,
Unnecessarily, the rotational load applied to the propeller shaft is prevented, which leads to prevention of deterioration of the fuel consumption rate.

As described above, the present invention has been described using an example of an electric component operation switch in a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 10 but may be applied to switches of other electric components in the vehicle. Applicable. For example, a wiper device includes a raindrop sensor, which automatically operates when rainfall occurs and stops when rainfall occurs, but operates even though the actual operation time is short. Even when it is not, the device is always in a state of accepting the signal from the raindrop sensor, and there is a problem that a dark current flows in the device and power is wasted. Therefore, a configuration is provided in which a wiper switch is provided and it is possible to select whether to completely shut off the power by operating the wiper switch or to accept or cut off the signal from the raindrop sensor and drive the wiper motor by operating the wiper switch. You can think. The operation position of the wiper switch is configured to be operated by receiving a signal from a rotation sensor of the engine, for example, and the operation position of the wiper switch is automatically shut off by stopping the engine. It can be configured to return to the position. In this way, when applied to a switch of another electrical component, it is possible to prevent forgetting to perform the return operation, and to reduce the waste of power consumption and the complexity of device operation as much as possible.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the electric component operation switch disposed near the steering wheel of the vehicle and capable of centralized operation of various mechanisms of the vehicle, the switch operation is rationalized to reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle. It can contribute to improvement and smooth driving operation. For example, when operating the retarder brake, simply switch the operating lever,
The retarder brake can be activated and released. At this time, it is possible to select whether to automatically return the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism or not to return the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism, and even if the automatic brake switch switching mechanism is automatically reset, the exhaust brake is always applied. Since the vehicle can travel in a state where the vehicle is in a locked state, the burden on the service brake can be reduced. Further, in special driving situations, the retarder brake is applied to the service brake together with the exhaust brake, so that a stronger braking force can be secured, which contributes to safe driving. Moreover, once the accelerator operation or the clutch operation is performed once from the state where the retarder brake is actuated together with the exhaust brake, it is assumed that the special driving situation described above has been completed.
Like running with the retarder brake released,
Since the switching is performed automatically, there is no fear of forgetting to perform the release / return operation. Further, since the user does not forget to perform the release / return operation, the fuel consumption rate is prevented from deteriorating.

[0019]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective explanatory view showing one embodiment of a combination switch in a vehicle provided with an automatic return control means according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory view showing an example of an auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view showing one example of an auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view showing an example of a return mechanism in the auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic return control means incorporated in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the operation of an automatic return control means in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an automatic return control means in the combination switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a time chart for explaining the operation of an auxiliary brake in a current vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Combination switch 2 Housing 2a Step part 3 Space part 4, 5 Operation lever 6 Operation knob 7 Rotation switching switch 10 Auxiliary brake switch switching mechanism 11 Swing lever 11a Joint arm 11b Interlock arm 12 E / R switch 13 Return mechanism 14 Edge 15 Rocker arm 15a Urging arm 15b Locking arm 16 Rocker 16a Support arm 16b Working arm 17 Tension spring 18 Claw 19 Locking claw 20 Solenoid 20a Drive shaft 21 Interlocking shaft 22 Switch 30 Automatic return control means 31 RET. ARC

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kanji Yamauchi 756-1, Shin-Marukocho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Tadashi Takahashi 756-1, Shin-Marukocho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Metro Denso F term (reference) inside 5G034 AB17

Claims (3)

[Claims] An electronic component in a vehicle having a plurality of different operation functions is switched and executed by various predetermined operations. In addition, in order to execute these different operations,
An electrical component operation switch in a vehicle having a plurality of contacts communicating with a circuit for executing respective operations and a manual operation means for switching electrical connection of the contacts, wherein the contacts are switched by the manual operation means. Operating the electrical component, and during execution of the operation, setting the electrical component to an operation state different from the operation by various predetermined operations, thereby detecting the different operation state, and An automatic reset control method for an electrical component operation switch in a vehicle, wherein a switching operation position is automatically switched or returned to a specific switching operation position. 2. A switch contact for inserting a steering shaft and holding a housing near a steering wheel, and closing a circuit for operating an exhaust brake and a retarder brake as an auxiliary brake in the housing.
In an electrical component operation switch having an operation means for switching and operating these switch contacts, the switch contact is switched by the operation means, together with an exhaust brake,
When the accelerator operation or the clutch operation is performed once from the state where the retarder brake is applied, the switching operation position of the switch contact by the operation means is automatically returned to the operation position where the retarder brake is released. An automatic reset control method for an electrical component operation switch in a vehicle, characterized in that: 3. The switching operation position of the switch contact can be selected to automatically return to an operation position where a retarder brake is released or not to be automatically returned. 3. The automatic reset control method for an electrical component operation switch in the vehicle according to 2.