JP2001260710A - Vehicle operating switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle operating switch device such that the use of a meter mounted in a vehicle enables electrical connections between each of the operating switches required according to the kind, grade and options of the vehicle and the subject of connection, thereby minimizing the degree of dependence on wire harness. SOLUTION: Three kinds of variations VR1 to VR3 for associating a hazard lamp 70, a rear fog lamp 80, a back sonar 90, and the operating switches SW1 to SW3 with one another according to the grade and options of an automobile are prestored as data in an EEPROM 60. A microcomputer 30 selects either of the variations from the data stored in the EEPOM 60 and associates the operating switches SW1 to SW3 with the hazard lamp 70, the rear fog lamp 80 and the back sonar 90.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation switch device for a lamp such as a hazard lamp and an operating device such as a back sonar mounted on a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of vehicles have been proposed, but the type and number of operation switches to be provided differ depending on the type of vehicle. Further, even in the same vehicle model, the type and number of operation switches are different due to differences in settings and options depending on grades.

[0003]

However, in the above-described configuration, depending on the type and number of the operation switches described above, the location of each operation switch and each dedicated switch for connecting each operation switch to a connection target are provided. A wiring harness must be prepared for each vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, even if the vehicle type, grade or option is different, if it is attempted to standardize without being affected by this, all the operation switches required in consideration of the difference of the vehicle type, grade and option are taken into account. A dedicated wire harness must be prepared in advance for the location and each of these operation switches.

[0005] This leads to an increase in cost,
It also goes against the demand for space saving.

According to the present invention, in order to cope with the above-described problems, the vehicle type, grade, option, etc. of the vehicle are utilized by utilizing a meter mounted on the vehicle, even if the vehicle type, grade, option, etc. are different. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation switch device that enables an operation switch required by the operation switch to be electrically connected to the connection target and minimizes a degree of dependence on a wire harness.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle operation switch device according to the first aspect of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a plurality of operating devices (70, 80, 90). A plurality of operation switches (SW1, SW2, SW3) connected to each operation device via a microcomputer (30) included in the meter, and a relationship between each operation device and each operation switch determined by a difference in vehicle type, grade, and option And a storage element (60) in which a plurality of variations specifying the above are stored in advance as data.

The microcomputer selects a variation according to the type, grade and option of the vehicle from the data stored in the storage element, and switches each of the plurality of operation switches to each of the plurality of operating devices based on the selected stored data. Perform the process of associating with.

As described above, in the storage element, a plurality of variations for associating each operating device and each operation switch with a vehicle type, a grade, an option, and the like are stored in advance as data, and this data is used. Thus, each operation switch is associated with each operating device by a microcomputer according to the type, grade, option, and the like of the vehicle.

[0010] By effectively utilizing the existing meter in the vehicle in this way, even if the vehicle has a difference in the vehicle type, grade, option, etc., the operation switches required by the vehicle type, grade, option, etc. are required. The function can be secured with a minimum number of operation switches.

Accordingly, the role of each dedicated wire harness conventionally required between each operation switch and the connection target is replaced by the microcomputer of the meter. Accordingly, only a harness portion between each operation switch and the microcomputer located close to each other and between the microcomputer and the connection target of each operation switch is required. The wire harness can be made substantially unnecessary, so that the cost increase due to the use of the conventional dedicated wire harness can be reduced and the space can be saved.

Further, the vehicle operation switch device according to the second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle operation switch device comprising a plurality of operating devices (70, 80, 9).
0) and a plurality of operation switches (SW1, SW2, SW3) mounted on a vehicle equipped with a meter, and a plurality of operation switches for specifying a relationship between each operation device and each operation switch determined by a difference of a vehicle type, a grade, and an option. A storage element (60) in which variations are stored in advance as data.

The meter further includes a selection means (100, 110) for selecting a variation according to the type, grade, and option of the vehicle from the data stored in the storage element.
Processing means (130 to 152, 210 to 21) for performing processing for associating each of the plurality of operation switches with each of the plurality of operating devices based on the storage data selected by the selection means;
2, 310 to 321).

As described above, a plurality of variations for associating each operating device and each operation switch with a vehicle type, a grade, an option, and the like are stored in advance in the storage element. Using the variation selected according to the type of vehicle, grade and option, the processing unit selects the type of vehicle,
Each operation switch is made to correspond to each operating device according to the grade and options. Thereby, claim 1
The same operation and effect as the invention described in (1) can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the storage element stores in advance a variation of the physical quantity to be displayed on the meter so as to include a display limit value as a variation. , The microcomputer
On the basis of the selected storage data, the display limit value of the physical quantity is also associated with the display target of the meter.

Thus, not only the function and effect of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved, but also the display limit value of the physical quantity to be displayed on the meter is associated with the type, grade, and option of the vehicle. be able to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the storage element stores in advance the variation so as to include a display limit value of a physical quantity to be displayed on the meter as each variation. The processing means is characterized in that the display limit value of the physical quantity is also associated with the display target of the meter based on the selected storage data.

As a result, not only the operation and effect of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved, but also the display limit value of the physical quantity to be displayed on the meter is associated with the type, grade, and option of the vehicle. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, each operation switch has a display unit for specifying a function of each associated operating device. It is characterized by the following.

Thus, the correspondence between each operating device and each operation switch can be easily visually identified according to the type, grade, and option of the vehicle. Therefore, the functions and effects of the inventions described in claims 1 to 4 can be more reliably achieved.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an automobile combination meter. This combination meter includes a meter main body 10,
The meter main body 10 is attached to an instrument panel (not shown) in a vehicle compartment of the vehicle in front of a driver's seat in the vehicle compartment.

The meter body 10 includes a tachometer 10a.
And a speedometer 10b.
0a indicates and displays the number of revolutions of the engine of the vehicle. The speedometer 10b indicates and displays the vehicle speed of the vehicle.

The combination meter includes a vehicle speed sensor 20 and a rotation speed sensor 30, and the vehicle speed sensor 20 detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle. The rotation speed sensor 30 detects the rotation speed of the engine of the vehicle.

The combination meter comprises a microcomputer 30, both driving circuits 40 and 50, EE
A PROM 60 is provided. Microcomputer 30
Executes a computer program in accordance with the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and during this execution, the tachometer 10 a and the speed tach via the drive circuits 40 and 50 based on the respective detection outputs of the vehicle speed sensor 20 and the rotation speed sensor 30. The meter 10b is driven.

During its execution, the microcomputer 30 operates based on the data stored in the EEPROM 60 and the operation of each of the normally-open operation switches SW1 to SW3.
The driving process of the hazard lamp 70, the rear fog lamp 80, and / or the back sonar 90 installed in the vehicle is performed. The microcomputer 30 is operated by being supplied with power from the battery B via an ignition switch IG of the vehicle and executes the computer program.
The computer program is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 30 in advance.

The driving process 40 is performed by the microcomputer 3
Under the control of 0, the display of the tachometer 10a is driven. The drive circuit 50 drives the display of the speedometer 10b under the control of the microcomputer 30.
The back sonar 90 detects an obstacle when the vehicle is moving backward by using an ultrasonic wave and issues an alarm.

Each of the operation switches SW1 to SW3 is disposed near the driver's seat in the instrument panel, and each of the operation switches SW1 to SW3 is
It is pushed on the pushing surface and turned on, and turned off by releasing this pushing. In the present embodiment, each operation switch SW1
On the pressing surface of SW3, a display (display indicating the function of an operation switch) corresponding to a variation VR for the vehicle described later is made by printing or the like.

A map as shown in FIG. 5 is stored in advance in the EEPROM 60 as data. The data in FIG. 5 shows three types of variations VR and operation switches SW that differ depending on the grade and options of the vehicle.
1 to SW3 and the relationship with the tachometer 10a.

Here, the variation VR1 changes the operation switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to the hazard lamp 70, the rear fog lamp 80, and the back sonar 9, respectively.
0, and set the maximum rotation speed of the tachometer 10a to MAX.
8000r. p. m. It is set to correspond to. In the variation VR2, the operation switch SW1 corresponds to the hazard lamp 70, and the maximum rotation speed of the tachometer 10a is set to MAX8000r. p. m. It is set to correspond to. In addition, variation VR3
Sets the operation switches SW1 and SW2 to correspond to the hazard lamp 70 and the back sonar 90, respectively, and sets the maximum rotation speed of the tachometer 10a to MAX7000r. p. m.
It is set to correspond to.

In this embodiment configured as described above, when the ignition switch IG is turned on, the microcomputer 30 starts executing the computer program according to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the microcomputer 30 reads the variations VR1 to VR3, which are data stored in the EEPROM 60, in step 100 of FIG. 2, in step 110, a determination is made as to the variation VR for the vehicle. In the present embodiment, a designation code for designating a variation VR for the vehicle is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 30 in advance.

If the variation VR designation code for the vehicle designates the variation VR1, the computer program proceeds from step 110 to step 120 based on the designated variation. Accordingly, the maximum number of revolutions of the tachometer 10a is set to MAX800 based on the variation VR1.
0r. p. m. Is set to Thereby, the tachometer 10a is set to 0r. p. m. To 8000 r. p. m. The engine speed can be instructed and displayed within the range.

Next, at step 130, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW1 is on. Here, if the operation switch SW1 is turned on while the vehicle is stopped, the lighting process of the hazard lamp 70 is performed in step 131. Accordingly, the hazard lamp 70 is turned on. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW1 is turned off, the process of turning off the hazard lamp 70 is performed in step 132. Therefore, the hazard lamp 70 is turned off.
However, in this case, a display indicating a hazard switch is made on the pressing surface of the operation switch SW1 by printing or the like.

Thereafter, in step 140, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW2 is on. Here, when the operation switch SW2 is on, the determination in step 140 is YES, and in step 141, the lighting process of the rear fog lamp 80 is performed. Thereby, the rear fog lamp 80 is turned on. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW2 is off, the process of turning off the rear fog lamp 80 is performed in step 142 based on the determination of NO in step 140. Accordingly, the rear fog lamp 80 is turned off. However, in this case,
On the pressing surface of the operation switch SW2, a display indicating a rear fog switch is made by printing or the like.

Next, at step 150, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW3 is on. Here, if the operation switch SW3 is turned on when the vehicle moves backward, for example, when entering the garage, the driving process of the back sonar 90 is performed in step 151 in accordance with the determination of YES in step 150. Therefore, the back sonar 90 is driven to warn if the vehicle approaches an obstacle as the vehicle retreats. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW3 is turned off, the process of stopping the back sonar 90 is performed in step 152 based on the determination of NO in step 150. Along with this, the back sonar 90 stops. However, in this case, a display indicating the back sonar switch is made on the pressing surface of the operation switch SW3 by printing or the like.

If, in step 110, the designation code designates the variation VR2 in the variation VR for the vehicle, the computer program proceeds to step 200 based on the designated variation. Accordingly, the tachometer 10a
The maximum number of revolutions of MA
X8000r. p. m. Is set to Thereby, the tachometer 10a is set to 0r. p. m. To 8000 r.
p. m. The engine speed can be instructed and displayed within the range.

Next, in step 210, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW1 is on. Here, if the operation switch SW1 is turned on while the vehicle is stopped, in step 211, the lighting process of the hazard lamp 70 is performed. Accordingly, the hazard lamp 70 is turned on. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW1 is turned off, the process of turning off the hazard lamp 70 is performed in step 212. Therefore, the hazard lamp 70 is turned off. However, in this case, a display indicating a hazard switch is made on the pressing surface of the operation switch SW1 by printing or the like.

If it is determined in step 110 that the variation code for the vehicle specifies the variation VR3, the computer program proceeds to step 300. Accordingly, the maximum number of revolutions of the tachometer 10a becomes MAX7000r. p. m. Is set to Thereby, the tachometer 10a is set to 0r. p.
m. To 7000 r. p. m. The engine speed can be instructed and displayed within the range.

Next, at step 310, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW1 is on. Here, if the operation switch SW1 is turned on while the vehicle is stopped, the lighting process of the hazard lamp 70 is performed in step 311. Accordingly, the hazard lamp 70 is turned on. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW1 is turned off, the process of turning off the hazard lamp 70 is performed in step 312. Therefore, the hazard lamp 70 is turned off.
However, in this case, a display indicating a hazard switch is made on the pressing surface of the operation switch SW1 by printing or the like.

Next, at step 320, it is determined whether or not the operation switch SW2 is on. Here, if the operation switch SW2 is turned on when the vehicle moves backward, for example, when entering the garage, the driving process of the back sonar 90 is performed in step 321 with the determination of YES in step 320. Therefore, the back sonar 90 is driven to warn if the vehicle approaches an obstacle as the vehicle retreats. On the other hand, if the operation switch SW2 is off, the process of stopping the back sonar 90 is performed in step 322 based on the determination of NO in step 320. Along with this, the back sonar 90 stops. However, in this case, a display indicating the back sonar switch is made on the pressing surface of the operation switch SW2 by printing or the like.

Steps 151, 152, 211, 21
When any one of the processes 2, 2, 321 and 322 is performed as described above, in step 160, the rotation speed sensor 30
Are performed based on the detection output of the vehicle speed sensor 20 and the vehicle speed display based on the detection output of the vehicle speed sensor 20. Accordingly, the drive circuit 40 causes the tachometer 10a to indicate the number of revolutions, and the drive circuit 50
Instruct b to indicate the vehicle speed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the hazard lamp 70, the rear fog lamp 80, and the back sonar 9 are provided in the EEPROM 60 of the combination meter.
The three types of variations VR1 to VR3 that associate 0 and each of the operation switches SW1 to SW3 with the grade or option for the vehicle are stored in advance as map data (see FIG. 5), and this map data is used. Then, the hazard lamp 7 is controlled by the microcomputer 30 so that each of the operation switches performs a function corresponding to the grade and options of the vehicle.
0, the rear fog lamp 80 and the back sonar 90 are associated with the respective operation switches SW1 to SW3.

As described above, by effectively utilizing the existing combination meter located in the cabin of the vehicle, even if the vehicle has different grades and options, it is required by the grades and options. The function of the operation switch can be ensured with a minimum number of operation switches.

Therefore, the role of each dedicated wire harness conventionally required between each operation switch and its connection target is substituted by the microcomputer of the combination meter. Accordingly, only a harness portion between each operation switch and the microcomputer located close to each other and between the microcomputer and the connection target of each operation switch is required. The wire harness can be made substantially unnecessary, so that the cost increase due to the use of the conventional dedicated wire harness can be reduced and the space can be saved.

In this case, the operation switches SW1 to SW
Since the combination 3 and the microcomputer, and thus the microcomputer, are located close to each other in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle, a great effect can be expected in reducing the dedicated wire harness, and as a result, the above-mentioned effects can be further improved.

Further, since the printed display of the pressing surface of each operation switch only needs to be changed according to the difference of the grade or option of the vehicle, the above-mentioned effects can be achieved without replacing the operation switch itself. It becomes possible.

In practicing the present invention, each of the operation switches SW1 to SW3 may be provided as a component of the combination meter, or may be provided as an independent component separately from the combination meter.

Also, in the above embodiment, the vehicle type is specified,
Considering the grade and options of the car,
Although the storage data of the EEPROM 60 is constituted, the present invention is not limited to this. By storing variations in advance in the EEPROM 60 in consideration of the difference of the vehicle type, not only the same vehicle type but also different vehicle types may be substantially different from the above embodiment. The same operation and effect can be achieved.

In practicing the present invention, the present invention may be applied not only to a combination meter but also to a single meter such as a speedometer, and is not limited to an automobile meter, but may be applied to a bus, a truck, a motorcycle or the like. The present invention may be applied to various vehicles. Further, the meter may be a digital meter.

In implementing the present invention, the element for storing the map data shown in FIG. 5 is not limited to the EEPROM 60, but may be any of various memories.

In implementing the present invention, EEPRO
M60 is not limited to that included in the combination meter, and may be a memory installed in the vehicle. The data stored in the EEPROM 60 is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 30 in advance, and
The PROM 60 may be eliminated.

In implementing the present invention, the number of each of the operation switches SW1 to SW3 may be changed as needed, and accordingly, the number of types of variations which are data stored in the EEPROM 60 is also changed as appropriate. May be
Further, the operation switch may be a normally closed type.

In implementing the present invention, an object to be controlled by the microcomputer 30 based on the outputs of the operation switches SW1 to SW3, that is, the operation switches SW1 to SW3 are electrically connected via the microcomputer 30. The connection target is not limited to the hazard lamp 70, the rear fog lamp 80, and the back sonar 90, but may be other lamps mounted on the vehicle and other various operation devices.

In implementing the present invention, EEPRO
In a variation as data stored in M60, for example, instead of the maximum rotation speed of the tachometer 10a, for example,
The maximum speed of the indicated vehicle speed of the speedometer may be adopted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing an operation of the microcomputer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a part of the flowchart.

FIG. 4 is a part of the flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a table showing map data for specifying a relationship between a variation VR and each operation switch and the maximum rotation speed of the tachometer.

[Explanation of symbols]

30: microcomputer, 60: EEPROM, 7
0 ... Hazard lamp, 80 ... Rear fog lamp, 90 ...
Back sonar, SW1 to SW3 ... operation switches.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of operation switches (SW1, SW2) connected to each of the operating devices via a microcomputer (30) of a meter mounted on a vehicle equipped with the plurality of operating devices (70, 80, 90). SW2, SW3), and a storage element (60) that previously stores, as data, a plurality of variations that specify a relationship between each of the operating devices and each of the operation switches, which are determined by differences in vehicle type, grade, and options. The microcomputer selects a variation according to the vehicle type, grade, and option of the vehicle from the storage data of the storage element, and switches each of the plurality of operation switches based on the selected storage data to each of the plurality of operating devices. An operation switch device for a vehicle configured to perform a process of associating with a vehicle. 2. A plurality of operation switches (SW1, SW2, SW3) mounted on a vehicle equipped with a plurality of operating devices (70, 80, 90) and a meter, and a difference between a vehicle type, a grade, and an option. A storage element (60) in which a plurality of variations for specifying a relationship between each of the operation devices and each of the operation switches is stored in advance as data, wherein the meter is adapted to a vehicle type, a grade, and options according to the vehicle. Selecting means (100, 110) for selecting the variation from the storage data of the storage element, and processing for associating each of the plurality of operation switches with each of the plurality of operating devices based on the storage data selected by the selection means. Processing means (130 to 152, 210 to 21
2, 310 to 321). 3. The storage element stores in advance as each variation a display limit value of a physical quantity to be displayed by the meter, and the microcomputer stores the physical quantity based on the selected storage data. The vehicle operation switch device according to claim 1, wherein the display limit value is also associated with a display target of the meter. 4. The storage element stores in advance so as to include, as each of the variations, a display limit value of a physical quantity to be displayed by the meter, and wherein the processing means performs the physical quantity based on the selected storage data. The vehicle operation switch device according to claim 2, wherein the display limit value is also associated with the display target of the meter. 5. The vehicle operation according to claim 1, wherein each of the operation switches has a display unit for specifying a function of each of the associated operating devices. Switch device.