JP2002059760A - Indication device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart a reliable information to a user regarding an actual adjustment condition of an operatable member. SOLUTION: A detection means for detecting that any of at least two signals carry out a control of the operatable member is provided. The indication device is controlled depending on the signal carrying out a control of the operatable member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a control device for controlling an operable member.
Advantageously, a first signal which can be controlled by a user-operable operating element and at least a second signal are provided, via which the control of the operable element takes place, The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle for displaying a state of a possible member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art DE 196 36 210 A1 discloses an operating unit for an air conditioner that includes a rocker switch / push switch combination for controlling a blower control unit. The display field visually informs the driver of the operating condition of the air conditioner.

In motor vehicles equipped with air quality sensors, the adjustment of the outside air / ventilation flaps, for example, closing when the amount of harmful gases increases, is done without the help of an operator. The signal provided by the air quality sensor to set the ventilation adjustment has priority over the outside air adjustment manually set by the operator.

[0004] Existing air-conditioning control devices can also supply electronic signals that take precedence over air quality sensor signals and over manual signals. In this case, depending on the fact that the dew point on the windshield of the motor vehicle is about to fall, the air conditioner control device can send an outside air signal that has priority over all other signals.

[0005] Therefore, there is a possibility that an operation situation occurs in which the display device does not reproduce the actual position of the flap.

[0006] During traveling, a situation arises in which the operator feels that the quality of the air is getting worse. Here, operators tend to set ventilation adjustments manually on a regular basis. Due to the high sensitivity of the air quality sensor used, such a situation is, however, detected for the time being by the air quality sensor and the ventilation adjustment of the flap is set automatically in a timely manner. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that an unnecessary manual intervention operation, which may ultimately reduce the comfort of the operator, is performed by the operator.

[0007]

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as follows.
The purpose is to give the user reliable information on the actual adjustment of the operable members.

[0008]

An object of the present invention is to provide a detecting device for detecting which of at least two signals controls an operable member, so that the display device can be operated. The problem is solved by being controlled depending on a signal for controlling the member.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A display device according to the present invention for an automobile has a display device for imaging the state of an operable member, and a control device for controlling the operable member. A first signal, which is preferably controlled via a control element operable by a user, and at least a second signal, are provided by which the control of the controllable element is performed. According to the present invention, detection means for detecting which of the at least two signals controls the operable member is provided, and the display device depends on the signal for controlling the operable member. Is controlled. As an operable member, for example, an air flap of an air conditioner can be considered. The device according to the invention, on the one hand, ensures that the actual position of the element that can be operated in any case is indicated. Still on the other hand, the operator does not remain unaware of which signal caused the flap adjustment. This information prevents unnecessary erroneous operation of the operating element. In other words, the user
For example, it can be easily determined whether the activation of the ventilation flap is performed by electronic means, for example by a control signal of an air quality sensor of the air conditioner. In this case, activation of the manual is unnecessary. The display will tell the user this again,
Unnecessary operation steps of the user are hindered.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the display is integrated in the operating element.

In the first embodiment, various characters or pictograms are provided on the illumination display device.

In the second embodiment, depending on a signal for controlling an operable member, various blinking frequencies according to the control are applied to a lamp or an LED as a display device.

In a third embodiment, an optical display having a plurality of colors may exhibit different control features.

In a preferred embodiment, further control is provided for the operable member of the third signal. At this time, the signal is, for example, an outside air signal supplied by the air-conditioning control device. The third signal is given a higher priority than the first and second signals in controlling the operable members. This preferential control for controlling the operable components is also simulated in a corresponding manner for controlling the display device. If a third signal occurs, which controls the operable component, this is also displayed in a corresponding manner on the display. By taking into account additional control signals, the value of the information transmitted by the display device to the user is increased. The presence of this third signal can be indicated according to the previously described embodiment. For a blinking display device, for example, a relatively long off-time following a short on-time can be provided. Alternatively, different colors, different characters or different pictograms can be provided.

[0015] Further preferred embodiments are set out in the further dependent claims and in the foregoing.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a display priority circuit 12 controls a display device 10. The operation signal 15 of the operation element 14 reaches both the display priority circuit 12 and the OR gate 24. The air quality signal 17 of the air quality sensor 16 is supplied to the display priority circuit 12 and the OR gate 24. The air-conditioning control signal 22 generated by the air-conditioning control device 18 becomes an input signal of the display priority circuit 12 and the OR gate 24. The air-conditioning control device 18 further generates an outside air signal 20 that is supplied to both the display priority circuit 12 and the outside air priority circuit 26. The output signal of the OR gate 24 reaches the outside air priority circuit 26 as a control signal 25, while the outside air priority circuit 26 sends the output signal to the flap 28. OR gate 24 and outside air priority circuit 26
Form the control device 27.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the display device 10 is controlled by the output signal of the display priority circuit 12. The operation element 14 operable by the user sends an operation signal 15 to both the display priority circuit 12 and the OR gate 24.
Air quality signal 17 generated by air quality sensor 16
The OR gate 24 also has the first clock generator 3
0 is also supplied. Air conditioning control device 1
8 supplies an outside air signal 20 and an air condition control signal 22 as output signals. The outside air signal 20 is supplied to both the outside air priority circuit 26 and the third clock generator 34. The air-conditioning control signal 22 is used as an input amount for the OR gate 24 and the second clock generator 32. The output signal of the OR gate 24 is supplied as a control signal 25 to an outside air priority circuit 26 that generates a control signal for the flap 28 depending on both the outside air signal 20 and the control signal 25. The OR gate 24 and the outside air priority circuit 26 are components of the control device 27. Second
Are integrated with the first clock generator 30. Both the output signal of the first clock generator 30 and the output signal of the third clock generator 34 are the display priority circuit 12 for controlling the display device 10.
Supplied to

Now, in principle, there are four possibilities by which signal the flap 28 can be activated. When the user operates the operating element 14, another activation signal (air quality signal 17, outside air signal 20,
In the absence of the air-conditioning control signal 22), the operating element 14 controls the flap 28 accordingly. The OR gate 24 forwards the operating signal 15 to an outside air priority circuit 26, which directs the corresponding control of the flap 28-unless there is a request for activation by the outside air signal 20. The operation signal 15 is processed with the lowest priority. The next highest priority is assigned to the air quality signal 17. As long as the predetermined limit is not exceeded, the air quality sensor 16 identifies a high content of harmful substances in the air and shuts off the flap 28. The air quality signal 17 is processed prior to the operation signal 15. Third of flap 28
The possible controls are performed via an air-conditioning control signal 22 generated by the air-conditioning control device 18 which has priority over the operation signal 15 and the air quality signal 17. However, the highest priority is given to the outside air signal 20. This signal, for example, signals that it is about to fall below the dew point. To prevent the glass from fogging, the flaps 28 are activated to provide an air supply. The outside air priority circuit 26 guarantees preferential control by the generated outside air signal 20, and the outside air priority circuit 26 controls the flap 28 according to the outside air signal 20 when there is an output signal of the OR gate 24.

The behavior of the controller 27 is simulated, and any of the four possible flap control signals (operation signal 15, air quality signal 17, outside air signal 20, air conditioning control signal 22) are actually simulated by the flap 28. A display priority circuit 12 is provided for determining whether the activation has occurred. For this purpose, the four possible activation signals described above are detected and evaluated. This can also be performed, for example, based on the priority assignment described at the beginning. That is, the operation signal 15 has the lowest priority, the air quality signal 17 has the second lowest priority, the air condition control signal 22 has the second highest priority, and the outside air signal 20 has the highest priority. Given. If multiple activation signals occur simultaneously, display priority switch 12 detects the signal with the highest priority. At this time, the display device 10 matches the same activation signal as the signal that actually activated the flap 28. A unique display format is provided for each of the four possible activation signals. In the first embodiment, the illumination display device 10 has various characters or pictograms (for example,
"M" is provided for activation by the operation signal 15, "L" for the air quality signal 17, "F" for the outside air signal 20, and "K" for the air-conditioning control signal 22). ing. Similarly, an optical display device 10 having a plurality of colors is also conceivable, which assigns a predetermined color to each possible activation signal.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the starting state, the flap 28 is connected to a possible control element (operating element 1).
4. Air quality sensor 16, air conditioner control device 1
8) Active without any intervention. The user then adjusts the ventilation flap 28 with operating element 1
I want to change it by operating 4. When operating the operation element 14, the operation signal 15 assumes a state of logical value 1. Thereby, the corresponding output signal 25 of the OR gate 24 changes from logic 0 to logic 1. In the outside air priority circuit 26, it is checked whether or not there is an outside air signal 20 for controlling the flap 28 by priority. Without such an outside air signal 20, the control device 27
A corresponding control signal caused by the output signal of 4 is sent to the flap 28 or to the adjusting drive for actuating the flap. At the same time, if the operation signal 15 is present, this signal is sent to the display priority circuit 12 by the display device 1.
Evaluated to control 0. The clock generators 30, 32, and 34 and the display priority circuit 12
8 (operation element 14, air quality sensor 16,
It is used as a means for detecting which of the air-conditioning control devices 18) actually performed the control.
For this purpose, the previously described detection means 12, 30, 32, 34 essentially simulate the control device 27 in order to indicate the event that caused the control of the flap 28 in a consistent manner. When the operating element 14 is operated, the lamp or LED as the display device 10 is continuously activated for the operating process.

Subsequently, after operating the operating element 14, the air quality sensor 16 generates a corresponding air quality signal 17 which activates the flap 28 to interrupt the outside air supply. By the OR connection of the air quality signal 17, the control device 27
Is in any case a priority outside air signal 2
As long as there is no zero, a corresponding control signal for the flap 28 is generated. In parallel, the air quality signal 17 activates a first clock generator 30 which carries a control signal having a frequency f1. The display priority circuit 12 gives the output signal of the first clock generator 30 a higher priority than the operation signal 15 in accordance with the actual control of the flap 28. In this case, the blinking frequency f1 is applied to the lamp instead of the continuous activation of the display device 10 which has been ongoing. This informs the user that the air quality sensor 16 has just controlled the flap 28. Even if the operating element 14 is newly operated manually, the flap is not operated in this case, and this is notified to the user by the display device 10 which blinks at the frequency f1.

The same applies when the air-conditioning air-conditioning control device 18 generates the air-conditioning control signal 22 with the intention of controlling the flap. The air-conditioning control signal 22 is simultaneously
Of the clock generator 32, based on which the clock generator 32 supplies the frequency f2. The output signal of the second clock generator 32 is also given a higher priority than the operation signal 15, and as a result, the display device 10 is controlled at the blinking frequency f2.

Depending on the amount of moisture detected inside the windshield of the vehicle, the air-conditioning controller 1
8 supplies a corresponding outside air signal 20. When the outside air signal 20 is generated, this signal is given an absolutely higher priority than other signals (operation signal 15, air quality signal 17, air-conditioning control signal 22). The outside air signal 2 is independent of the state of the output signal of the OR gate 24.
Open air priority circuit 2 only in the range set by 0
6 permits activation of the flap 28. The third clock generator 34 is activated when the outside air signal 20 is generated. In a manner consistent with the ambient air priority circuit 26, the display priority circuit 12 provides an absolutely higher priority to the output signal of the third clock generator 34. The output signal of the third clock generator 34 is, for example, a blinking signal of a frequency f3. This blinking frequency f3
Is used to control the display device 10. This informs the user that the ventilation flap 28 will be activated depending on the outside air signal 20 of the air conditioning controller 18. In this state, there is no possibility that the flap 28 will be operated further. If the outside air signal 20 is present, the display device 10 can be controlled with a variable on / off time. That is, a relatively long off-duration following a short on-duration may be provided. Depending on the elements that control the flap 28 (operating element 14, air quality sensor 16, air-conditioning control device 18), various blinking characteristic quantities such as cycle duration and / or on / off ratio are displayed on the display device. 10 can be used to control.

In another embodiment, the display device has multiple colors,
It is formed as a lamp represented in at least two colors. Activate the yellow lamp when operating the operating element, the green lamp when controlling the flap 28 via the air quality sensor 16 and the red lamp when activating via the outside air signal 20. Is also good. In this way, it is assured that the control signals for operating the flap 28 are clearly classified and displayed.

The display device 10 may be integrated with the operating element 14.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a display device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 display device 12 display priority circuit 14 operation element 15 operation signal 16 air quality sensor 17 air quality signal 18 air conditioner control device 20 outside air signal 22 air condition control signal 24 or gate 25 control signal 26 outside air priority circuit 27 controller 28 operable Part 30 first clock generator 32 second clock generator 34 third clock generator

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A control device (24, 26, 27) for controlling an operable member (28), said control device (24, 26, 27) being advantageously operable by a user. A first signal (15) controllable via the operating element (14) and at least a second signal (17, 20,.
22) is supplied, and control of the operable member (28) is performed via the signal. A display device for a vehicle for displaying a state of the operable member (28), At least two of said signals (15, 17, 20, 2
Detecting means (12, 30, 32, 3) for detecting which of the 2) controls the operable member (28);
4), wherein the display device (10) controls the operable member (28).
7. A display device for an automobile, wherein the display device is controlled depending on (7, 20, 22). 2. The display device (10) controls the signals (15, 17,...) For controlling the operable member (28).
Device according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least two different states, depending on (20, 22). 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the state of the display device is distinguished with respect to a blink frequency (f1, f2, f3) and / or a color of the lighting display device and / or an active pictogram. Equipment. 4. The air quality sensor (1) comprises a second signal (17).
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:
Item. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal is generated by an air-conditioning controller. 6. At least a second signal (20) comprises a first signal (20).
(28) that can be operated in preference to the signal (15)
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device is operated. 7. The first and second signals (15, 1).
7. A display priority circuit (12), wherein one of the display units (7, 20, 22) is provided with a higher priority over the control of the display device (10) over the other. An apparatus according to claim 1.