JP2002178795A - Ignition switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ignition switch capable of smoothly performing operations from an engine start operation to a shift operation. SOLUTION: While an occupant is grabbing a knob 28 of a shift lever 24 with the shift lever 24 being at a parking position, the ignition switch 10 is disposed in an instrument panel 30 in a reaching range of the index finger 68 of the grabbing hand 66. The ignition switch 10 is operated with the shift lever 24 grabbed, and then the shift lever 24 can be smoothly operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ignition switch for starting and stopping an engine of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an ignition switch of a vehicle is provided near a steering column on which a steering wheel constituting a steering device of the vehicle is mounted. Thus, the engine can be started, and the engine can be stopped by rotating the ignition key in a direction opposite to the direction at the time of starting the engine.

[0003] In a vehicle employing an automatic transmission, the shift lever is moved from the parking position to the drive position or the reverse position with the foot brake depressed after the engine is started.

However, in the conventional ignition switch as described above, since the ignition switch and the shift lever are usually provided separately, the operation can be smoothly continued from the insertion and rotation of the ignition key to the operation of the shift lever. difficult.

As one means for solving such a problem, it is conceivable to provide a push-type ignition switch on the shift lever. However, since the shift lever has conventionally been pressed when performing a shift operation to a specific shift range. It is difficult to newly provide switches, for example, when knob buttons are provided.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ignition switch capable of smoothly performing a process from starting an engine to a shift operation in consideration of the above fact.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ignition switch, which is operated in a state of being gripped by an occupant of a vehicle, in the vicinity of a shift lever for operating a transmission of the vehicle, and operating the shift lever. A moving body provided at a position where the gripped occupant's hand can contact or a position on an extension of the occupant's arm and the shift lever; and a movably holding the moving body, and displacing the moving body. And a switch body for starting or stopping the engine of the vehicle upon detecting the above.

In the ignition switch having the above configuration,
When the vehicle occupant touches the moving body with a finger to displace the moving body, the displacement of the moving body is detected by the switch body,
Furthermore, the engine of the vehicle is started or stopped by the switch body that detects the displacement of the moving body.

The ignition switch is located at a position where the moving body is in the vicinity of the shift lever and the finger of the occupant's hand holding the shift lever can contact or a position on the extension of the occupant's arm and the shift lever. Is provided.
Therefore, if the moving body is provided near the shift lever and at a position where the finger of the occupant holding the shift lever can contact, the occupant can operate the ignition switch while holding the shift lever. The shift range can be changed immediately after the engine is started.
Further, for example, since it is possible to touch the moving body with a finger while holding the shift lever that has been moved to the parking range, even when stopping the vehicle and stopping the engine, it is possible to hold the shift lever while holding the shift lever. The engine can be stopped immediately.

If a moving body is provided at a position on the extension of the occupant's arm and the shift lever, for example, the arm may be returned from a state in which the moving body is operated with a finger to start the engine. The shift lever can be grasped naturally, and when stopping the engine, release the grip of the shift lever at the position where the shift lever is grasped and move the arm forward from that state to easily operate the moving body .

Thus, in any case, the operation from the start of the engine to the shift operation is facilitated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the ignition switch according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided near the moving body or substantially integrally with the moving body, and is directly or indirectly connected to the switch body. A display unit is provided for displaying a state of the vehicle, which is changed according to the displacement of the moving body.

In the ignition switch having the above configuration,
Display means is provided near the moving body or this moving body, and when the switch body detects the displaced moving body and starts the engine, or when the state of the vehicle is changed, such as stopping the engine. The switch body displays on the display means the current state of the vehicle and the state of the vehicle when the switch body detects the next displacement of the moving body. Thereby, the state of the vehicle can be easily visually recognized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ignition switch according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a detecting means provided at an appropriate position of the vehicle to detect a state of the vehicle, based on a detection result of the detecting means. And changing the display on the display means.

In the ignition switch having the above configuration,
The display is changed not only when the switch body detects the displacement of the moving body by the display means but also according to the state of the vehicle detected by the detection means.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Configuration of First Embodiment> FIG.
2 is a perspective view showing the interior of a vehicle 12 that employs an ignition switch 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a shift lever device 14 is mounted on the vehicle 12. The shift lever device 14 has a housing 16. Housing 16
Is provided between the driver's seat 18 and the passenger seat 20 of the vehicle 12. The housing 16 is formed with a shift hole 22 that is appropriately bent substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and a rod-shaped lever body 26 that constitutes the shift lever 24 penetrates.

The lever main body 26 is rotatably supported on the rear side of the housing 16 such that the lever main body 26 is rotatable by a predetermined angle about the vehicle substantially in the left-right direction and the vehicle front-rear direction. Also, the lever body 26
One end of a connection member such as a wire or a cable is locked on the back side of the housing 16. The automatic transmission is rotated by rotating a lever main body 26 (shift lever 24) around the axis and moving it to a predetermined position. The shift range can be changed to a shift range corresponding to the position of the shift lever 24 among a plurality of shift ranges set in advance (not shown).

A shift lock device (not shown) is provided on the rear side of the housing 16.
The upper end side of the shift lever 24 (that is, the housing 16
Of the vehicle 12 than the vehicle 1).
The rotation of the shift lever 24 can be limited in a state where the shift lever 24 is located at the parking position located on the front side of the shift lever 2, and the rotation lock of the shift lever 24 by the shift lock device can be released by depressing a brake pedal (not shown). I have. When the shift lever 24 is located at the parking position, the automatic transmission locks the drive wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 12, and basically, the engine (not shown) of the vehicle 12 It is started in the parking position.

A knob 2 is provided at the upper end of the shift lever 24.
8 is provided, and the occupant of the vehicle 12 can rotate the shift lever 24 by pushing and pulling the shift lever 24 to the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle 12 while gripping the knob 28. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular opening 32 is formed in the instrument panel 30 substantially in front of the knob 28 when the shift lever 24 is located at the parking position. The opening 32 penetrates substantially along the vehicle front-rear direction. As shown in FIG.
Is arranged. The case 34 is formed as a cylindrical step that penetrates substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a substrate 36 is fixed to an opening end substantially at the front side of the vehicle.

A wiring such as a printed wiring (not shown) is provided on the board 36, and a computer 7 for controlling the engine of the vehicle 12 through a cable or the like as shown in FIG.
0 is electrically connected. The computer 70 is connected to an engine starting cell motor 72 as one mode of engine control. The cell motor 72 operates based on a signal from the computer 70 to start the engine. Further, although not shown, the computer 70
Is mounted on the vehicle 12 and is also connected to a control device for controlling an audio device or the like. The audio device or the like can be used based on the operation of the ignition switch 10 as will be described later in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch body 38 is provided on a surface of the substrate 36 substantially on the vehicle rear side.
Is attached. The switch body 38 includes a fixed portion 40 fixed to the substrate 36 and a movable portion 42 supported by the fixed portion 40 so as to be slidable by a predetermined amount substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Each of the fixed portion 40 and the movable portion 42 has an electric contact formed of metal or the like. When the movable portion 42 slides toward the fixed portion 40 by a predetermined amount, the electric contact of the fixed portion 40 and the movable portion The 42 electrical contacts are in contact with each other and pass through. The electrical contacts of the fixing portion 40 are electrically connected to the wiring of the substrate 36, and are also electrically connected to the LCD connector 44 fixed to the substrate 36 on the opposite side of the switch body 38 via the substrate 36. .

On the other hand, a button 46 as a moving body is provided on the opening end side of the case 34 substantially at the rear of the vehicle. The button 46 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material as a whole, and is formed in a box shape opened substantially on the front side of the vehicle. This button 46
An engagement wall 48 extends substantially forward of the vehicle from the open end of the support groove 50, and a support groove 50 urged along the side wall of the case 34.
Is inside. Accordingly, the button 46 is supported by the case 34 so as to be slidable by a predetermined amount substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction.

A pressing plate 52 is provided at the open end of the button 46.
Is fixed, and the opening end of the button 46 is basically closed by the pressing plate 52. The pressing plate 52 is formed with a pressing protrusion 54 facing the distal end of the movable portion 42 substantially along the vehicle front-rear direction. When the button 46 is pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle and displaced, the pressing protrusion 54 moves. The configuration is such that the portion 42 is pressed and moved substantially toward the front of the vehicle.

Further, a plate-like LCD (liquid crystal display) 56 as a display means is disposed inside the button 46, and a plate-like backlight as a display means is provided substantially in front of the LCD 56 on the vehicle. 58 are arranged. The LCD 56 and the backlight 58 are electrically connected to a driver circuit board 60 having a control means such as a CPU arranged substantially in front of the backlight 58 on the vehicle side, and receive an electric signal from the driver circuit board 60. In this configuration, the backlight 58 emits light or the transmittance of the LCD 56 is changed. This driver circuit board 60 is electrically and mechanically connected to an LCD connector 44 attached to the back surface of the above-described board 36 (the side opposite to the switch body 38) via a flexible flat cable 62 that can be bent. .

Also, as shown in FIG.
A mask 64 is arranged on the inner bottom of the light emitting device, so that extra light leakage and the like when the backlight 58 emits light can be limited.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer bottom of the button 46 of the ignition switch 10 having the above-described structure is exposed to the cabin of the vehicle 12 through the opening 32. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the mounting position of the ignition switch 10 and the position of the opening 32 are set so as to be located in front of the knob 28 of the shift lever 24 located at the parking position (substantially in front of the vehicle) and very close. For example, when the index finger 68 or the thumb (in FIG. 1, the index finger 68) is extended while the occupant holds the knob 28 with the hand 66, the tip of the finger touches the outer bottom of the button 46, and Can be pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle.

<Operation and Effect of the First Embodiment>
The operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

When the engine is stopped in the vehicle 12 equipped with the ignition switch 10, no characters or the like are displayed on the outer bottom of the button 46, as shown in FIG. In this state, when the button 46 is pressed once to displace the button 46 substantially to the front side of the vehicle, the pressing plate 52 moves substantially to the front side of the vehicle together with the button 46, and the pressing projection 54 moves the movable portion 42 of the switch body 38. Press.

The movable portion 42 pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle by the pressing projection 54 moves substantially toward the front of the vehicle, so that the electrical contact of the movable portion 42 is fixed to the fixed portion 40 of the switch body 38.
Is brought into contact with the electrical contact provided at the, and becomes conductive. The electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable section 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed section 40 is detected by the CPU provided on the driver circuit board 60 via the board 36, the LCD connector 44, and the flexible flat cable 62.

Further, the electric contact of the movable part 42 and the fixed part 4
Driver circuit board 60 that has detected conduction with electrical contact 0
CPU causes the backlight 58 to emit light and the LC
The transmittance of a predetermined portion of D56 is changed. This allows
As shown in FIG. 4, "ACC" appears on the bottom of the button 46.
Characters appear. In addition, conduction between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, and even before the engine is started, for example, to an audio device mounted on the vehicle 12 or the like. It is assumed that power can be supplied (so-called accessory mode). That is, in the present embodiment, in the state of the accessory mode, the character of “ACC” which means that the mode is the accessory mode is raised at the bottom of the button 46. The mode can be recognized.

Next, the button 46 is pressed again to make the electrical contact of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contact of the fixed portion 40 conductive,
When the electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable section 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed section 40 is detected by the CPU of the driver circuit board 60, the CPU of the driver circuit board 60 changes the transmittance of another predetermined portion of the LCD 56. Let it. As a result, FIG.
"START" is displayed at the bottom of the button 46 as shown in FIG.
Characters appear. The electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, and the computer 70
Starts the starter motor 72 for starting the engine.

Further, when the engine is started from this state, the CPU of the driver circuit board 60 changes the transmittance of another predetermined portion of the LCD 56, and as shown in FIG. Let the letters rise. Therefore, the “O” raised at the bottom of the button 46
By visually recognizing the letter "N", it can be confirmed that the engine has been started reliably. If the starter is started as described above, but the engine is not started, the character raised at the bottom of the button 46 remains "START", indicating that the engine is not started. Can be recognized.

On the other hand, while the engine is running, the button 46 is pressed again to make the electrical contact of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contact of the fixed portion 40 conductive, and the electrical contact of the movable portion 42 and the fixed portion 40 Is detected by the CPU of the driver circuit board 60, the CPU of the driver circuit board 60 changes the transmittance of another predetermined portion of the LCD 56. Thereby, as shown in FIG.
The letters “OFF” appear at the bottom of the button 46. The electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, and the computer stops the engine.

Therefore, by visually recognizing the character "OFF" that floats at the bottom of the button 46, it can be confirmed that the engine has been stopped reliably. In addition, for example, the vehicle 1
When the occupant leaves the vehicle 2 and locks the door using the door lock key, the backlight 58 and the LCD
The power supply to the button 56 is released, and the word “OFF” floating at the bottom of the button 46 disappears.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer bottom of the button 46 is exposed through the opening 32 to the inside of the vehicle 12. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the front of the knob 28 of the shift lever 24 located at the parking position (substantially the front side of the vehicle).
So that the ignition switch 10 is positioned very close to
When the occupant grips the knob 28 with the hand 66, for example, when the index finger 68 is extended, the tip of the button 4
The button 46 can be pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle by touching the outer bottom portion of the button 6.

Therefore, for example, when starting the engine, the occupant depresses the button 46 while holding the knob 28, and after starting the engine, the position of the hand 66 is basically changed. Shift lever 2 smoothly without
4 can be operated.

When the shift lever 24 is moved to the parking position when the engine is stopped, the engine can be stopped smoothly by pressing the button 46 while holding the knob 28 of the shift lever 24.

As described above, the operation of the ignition switch 10 allows the shift lever 24 to be operated smoothly from the operation of the ignition switch 10.

In this embodiment, the current state of the vehicle is displayed at the bottom of the button 46. For example, the state after the button 46 is pressed (ie, when the button 46 is pressed). The state of the vehicle 12) may be displayed.

Further, occupant detection means such as a seating sensor provided in a driver's seat or the like for detecting whether or not an occupant is seated, depression of a brake pedal, and a door sensor for detecting the open / closed state of a vehicle door. A configuration may be adopted in which the state of the vehicle after the button 46 is pressed changes according to the detection results of the various detection means, and the display content at the bottom of the button 46 also changes.

For example, if the brake pedal is depressed when the button 46 is depressed in an engine stop state before the accessory mode, the engine must be started without shifting to the accessory mode and the brake pedal must be depressed. For example, the mode may be changed to the accessory mode, and the display at the bottom of the button 46 may be changed accordingly. The display at the bottom of the button 46 can be changed on condition that the brake pedal is depressed.

In this embodiment, the CPU of the driver circuit board 60 detects only the continuity between the electrical contacts of the movable section 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed section 40. The CPU of the driver circuit board 60 determines whether or not the continuous conduction time between the electrical contact and the electrical contact of the fixing unit 40 exceeds a predetermined time, and determines whether the conduction time has exceeded the predetermined time or not. The display at the bottom of the button 46 may be changed to change the state of the vehicle 12.

In each of the above embodiments, when the button 46 is depressed from the engine stopped state, the accessory mode is set. However, the ignition switch 10 is exclusively used for starting and stopping the engine, and the accessory mode is set. The change may be performed by another switch or the like.

Further, in this embodiment, the movable portion 42 of the switch body 38 is pressed by using the button 46 as described above, but the ignition switch of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Absent. For example, any structure may be used as long as it has a moving body that can be operated by a finger like a button 46, such as a lever type switch or a switch using a slider, and can detect the displacement of this moving body like a switch body 38. Absent.

In the present embodiment, the ignition switch 10 is provided on the instrument panel 30. However, the shift lever 2 is located at the parking position.
The mounting position of the ignition switch 10 may be other than the instrument panel 30 as long as the finger can be reached in the vicinity of the knob 28 of FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the occupant extends the index finger 68 or the thumb while holding the knob 28 with the shift lever 24 reaching the parking position, the tip of the finger extends to the outer bottom of the button 46. In this configuration, the position of the button 46 is set so as to be touched. However, from the viewpoint of the present invention described in claim 1, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

That is, even if the occupant extends the index finger 68 or the thumb while holding the knob 28, even if the tip of the finger cannot touch the button 46, for example, the shift lever 24 may reach the parking position. By releasing the grip of the knob 28 and further extending the index finger 68 or the thumb while naturally extending the arm substantially forward of the vehicle in this state, the position of the button 46 is set so that the finger touches the button 46. You may.

In this configuration, after the occupant presses the button 46 while holding the knob 28 to start the engine, the position of the hand 66 is basically unchanged without changing the position of the hand 66. Although it is not possible to obtain the effect of being able to operate the shift lever 24, the knob 28 can be ashamed by naturally returning the arm to substantially the rear side of the vehicle from the state where the engine is started by pressing the button 46, and When the shift lever 24 reaches the parking position, the grip of the knob 28 is released, and from this state, the index finger 68 or the thumb is extended while the arm is naturally extended substantially to the front side of the vehicle, thereby naturally pressing the button 46. To stop the engine.

That is, even with this configuration, the same effect that the ignition switch 10 can smoothly operate the shift lever 24 from the operation of the ignition switch 10 can be obtained.

When the shift lever 24 is moved to the parking position when stopping the engine, the engine can be stopped smoothly by pressing the button 46 while holding the knob 28 of the shift lever 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the ignition switch 10 having the above configuration, the outer bottom of the button 46 is exposed through the opening 32 to the interior of the vehicle 12. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the mounting position of the ignition switch 10 and the position of the opening 32 are set so as to be located in front of the knob 28 of the shift lever 24 located at the parking position (substantially in front of the vehicle) and very close. For example, when the index finger 68 or the thumb (in FIG. 1, the index finger 68) is extended while the occupant grips the knob 28 with the hand 66, the tip of the finger touches the outer bottom of the button 46, and Can be pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle.

<Second Embodiment> Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In describing each of the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to portions that are basically the same as those in the above-described embodiment including the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view showing the appearance of an ignition switch 90 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the ignition switch 90 includes a button 92 as a moving body corresponding to the button 46 in the first embodiment. The button 4 is different from the button 4 in that when the button 92 is pressed, the electrical contact of the movable portion 42 contacts the electrical contact provided on the fixed portion 40 of the switch body 38 to conduct electricity.
Same as 6. However, this button 92 has L
The display means such as the CD 56 and the backlight 58 is not provided.

On the other hand, on the side of the button 92, an indicator section 94 as a display means is provided. The indicator section 94 is basically provided with the LCD 56, the backlight 58, and the like provided on the button 92 in the first embodiment.

That is, in the first embodiment, the button 46 as the moving body and the LCD 56 as the display means
In the present embodiment, the button 92 as a moving body and the indicator unit 94 as a display unit are separate from each other, while the backlight and the backlight 58 are integrated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the button 92 as a moving body and the indicator section 94 as display means are separate bodies, but basically the same as in the first embodiment. An effect is exerted, and a similar effect can be obtained.

<Structure of Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an ignition switch 110 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, in the vehicle 12 to which the present ignition switch 110 is applied, the instrument panel 30 has an opening 112 opened substantially toward the rear of the vehicle.

The opening 112 holds the knob 28 of the shift lever 24 in a state where the shift lever 24 is located at the parking position, and in this state, the index finger 68 of the hand 66 holding the knob 28 is substantially extended. Thus, the distal end side of the index finger 68 (for example, the distal end side of the first joint of the index finger 68) can be inserted into the inside of the opening 112.

The opening shape of the opening 112 is substantially rectangular, and a button 114 as a moving body is attached to the inner peripheral wall. The button 114 is displaceable substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is basically displaced substantially downward of the vehicle by pressing with a forefinger inserted into the opening 112, except that the button 114 is basically displaced in the second embodiment. The configuration is the same as that of the button 92 in the embodiment.

On the other hand, a pair of indicator portions 116 and 118 are provided at the inner bottom of the opening 112 so as to be substantially aligned in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

The basic structure of these indicator units 116 and 118 is the same as that of the indicator unit 94 in the second embodiment, but the indicator unit 116 displays the current state of the vehicle 12. The indicator unit 118 displays the state of the vehicle 12 after the button 114 is pressed, and displays differently according to the detection results of detection means such as a seating sensor 120, a door sensor 122, and a foot brake sensor 124, which will be described later. ,Basically,
The next candidate of the state of the vehicle 12 that is changed from the current state in response to the pressing of the button 114 or some detection by the detection unit is displayed. However, depending on the state of the vehicle 12, the same display as the indicator unit 116 may be performed, and the display may not always be the next candidate.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, the CPU of the driver circuit board 60 includes the seating sensor 120, the door sensor 122, the foot brake sensor 12
4 and so on. The seating sensor 120 is, for example,
It is provided on the seat cushion etc. of the driver's seat of the vehicle,
The load when the occupant is seated in the driver's seat is detected to detect whether or not the occupant is seated in the driver's seat. On the other hand, door sensor 1
Reference numeral 22 is provided in a door locking mechanism or the like on the driver's seat side, and detects whether the door has been opened and whether the door has been unlocked. Further, the foot brake sensor 124 is provided near the brake pedal, and detects the swing of the brake pedal, that is, whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. In the present embodiment,
Although the seat sensor 120, the door sensor 122, the foot brake sensor 124, and the like are connected to the CPU of the driver circuit board 60, the seat sensor 120, the door sensor 1,
Embodiments of various detection means connected to the CPU of the driver circuit board 60, such as the foot brake sensor 124 and the foot brake sensor 124, are not limited to the above embodiments.

<Operation of Third Embodiment> In the ignition switch 110 having the above-described structure, for example, the vehicle 12
If the occupant is not seated on the driver's seat, the seating sensor 120 does not detect the occupant on the driver's seat, and if the door sensor 122 does not detect door unlocking, as shown in FIG. The indicator units 116 and 118
, The letters "SECURITY" appear on the screen, indicating that the current state is the security mode. When the door sensor 122 detects the unlocking of the door from this state, as shown in FIG.
The letters "OWNER SENSED" appear on each of the 118, indicating that the security mode up to that point has been released. Here, when a security system such as an anti-theft device for the vehicle 12 is mounted on the vehicle 12, the security system may be released by releasing the security mode.

Next, the seating sensor 1 detects that the occupant who has released the door lock has entered the vehicle 12 and sat on the driver's seat.
When the signal 20 is detected, as shown in FIG. 13, the character "CAR OFF" appears on the indicator section 116, indicating that the current state of the vehicle 12 is in the engine stopped state and the audio device or the like cannot be operated. On the other hand, the character "ACC" appears on the indicator section 118, and it is indicated that pressing the button 114 in this state changes the mode to the accessory mode described above.

In this state, the button 114 is pressed without the depression of the brake pedal being detected by the foot brake sensor 124, and the electric contact of the movable part 42 and the fixed part 40 are depressed.
When the continuity with the electrical contacts is detected by the CPU of the substrate 36, as shown in FIG.
The character "ACC" is raised, and the conduction between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, and the vehicle 12 enters the accessory mode. In this state, the character "CAR OFF" appears on the indicator 118, and when the button 114 is pressed again in this state, the accessory
Indicates that the mode is released.

In this state, when the button 114 is pressed and conduction between the electric contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electric contacts of the fixed portion 40 is detected by the CPU of the substrate 36, the indicator portion is turned on as shown in FIG. "CAR OFF" to 116
And the electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, and the accessory mode is released. In this state, the indicator 118 displays “AC
The letter "C" rises, indicating that the apparatus is in a standby state for subsequent operations or the like.

On the other hand, “C
“AR OFF” appears, and the indicator section 1
In the state where the letters “ACC” are raised in the state 18 (the state shown in FIG. 13), or in the state where “ACC” is
Appears, and the indicator 118 shows “CA
When the brake pedal is depressed in any of the states in which the character "R OFF" is raised (the state shown in FIG. 14) and the foot brake sensor 124 detects the swing of the brake pedal in the stepping direction, as shown in FIG. "ENGINE STOP" is displayed on the indicator section 116 to indicate that the engine of the vehicle 12 is stopped. On the other hand, the indicator unit 118 displays “PUS
H ”and“ ENGINE START ”are displayed,
When the button 114 is pressed in this state, the starter 7
2 indicates that the engine starts.

In this state, when the button 114 is pressed and the electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is detected by the CPU of the substrate 36, as shown in FIG. "ENGINE ST
The word "ART" appears, and the continuity between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, whereby the starter 72 is operated to start the engine. In this state, “ENGINE S” is displayed on the indicator section 118.
The character “TOP” rises, and pressing the button 114 indicates that the engine is stopped.

If the door is not closed in this state, that is, if the door sensor 122 detects that the door is open or the door is incompletely closed. As shown in FIG. 17, the character of "DOOR OPEN" is replaced by the character of "DOOR OPEN" instead of the character of "ENGINE START".
To alert the occupants that the door is not closed. If it is necessary to call the occupant again, such as the word “DOOR OPEN”,
In addition to simply displaying the characters on the indicator unit 116, for example, the indicator unit 116 may be illuminated more intensely, or the color of the indicator unit 116 may be changed to red or the like so as to call attention more clearly. Is also good.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the characters "ENGINESTART" appear on the indicator 116, and "ENGINESTART" appears on the indicator 118.
When the button 114 is depressed in the engine operating state in which the letters “STOP” are raised and the electrical contact between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 is detected by the CPU of the substrate 36, the state is shown in FIG. As shown, indicator part 1
The display of “ENGINE STOP” is made at 16 to indicate that the engine of the vehicle 12 is stopped. On the other hand, "PUSH" and "ENGINESTART" are displayed on the indicator section 118, and when the button 114 is pressed in this state, it is indicated that the starter motor 72 is operated and the engine is started. Further, the conduction between the electrical contacts of the movable portion 42 and the electrical contacts of the fixed portion 40 at this time is also detected by the computer 70 via the board 36, whereby the engine is stopped.

In this state, when the depression of the brake pedal is released and the foot brake sensor 124 detects the swing of the brake pedal accompanying the release of the depression of the brake pedal, as shown in FIG.
Indicates that the current state of the vehicle 12 is in the engine stopped state and the audio device or the like cannot be operated. Also, at this time, the character “ACC” appears on the indicator section 118, indicating that the mode is changed to the accessory mode by pressing the button 114.

Further, when the door sensor 122 detects that the door has been opened from this state, as shown in FIG. 18, the character "CAR OFF" appears on the indicator 118 and the button 114 is temporarily pressed in this state. It is also shown that the starter 72 does not operate, nor is it changed to the accessory mode.

In this state, when the occupant separates from the driver's seat and the seating sensor 120 detects that the occupant is not seated in the driver's seat, as shown in FIG. SENSE
When the letter “D” rises and the door sensor 122 detects that the door is closed and locked in this state, as shown in FIG.
The letters “SECURITY” appear on each of the 118, indicating that the current state is the security mode.

Here, also in the present embodiment, the occupant pushes the knob 28 of the shift lever 24 located at the parking position by the hand 6.
When the forefinger 68 is stretched while being gripped with 6, the opening 11
The position of the opening 112, the position of the button 114, and the like are set so that the tip of the index finger 68 enters the inside 2 and the entered index finger 68 touches the button 114. Therefore, the button 114 is pressed in the above operation. Is required, the occupant can operate while holding the knob 28. Thus, in this embodiment, after the engine is started, the shift lever 24 can be operated smoothly without changing the position of the hand 66 basically.
When the shift lever 24 is moved to the parking position when stopping the engine, the engine can be stopped smoothly by pressing the button 114 while holding the knob 28 of the shift lever 24.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the start and stop operations of the engine can be performed while the shift lever is gripped, so that the operations from the start of the engine to the shift operation can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an ignition switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part in a room of a vehicle employing the ignition switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the ignition switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a state in which characters are displayed at the bottom of the button.

FIG. 5 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a state in which another character is displayed on the bottom of the button.

FIG. 6 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a state in which another character is displayed on the bottom of the button.

FIG. 7 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a state in which another character is displayed at the bottom of the button.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a switch body, an LCD, and a backlight.

FIG. 9 is a front view, corresponding to FIG. 3, showing an external appearance of an ignition switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ignition switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an external appearance of an ignition switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator unit.

FIG. 13 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator unit.

FIG. 14 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator section.

FIG. 15 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator unit.

FIG. 16 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator section.

FIG. 17 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator unit.

FIG. 18 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a state in which another character is displayed on the indicator section.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a detection unit and a switch body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 ignition switch 12 vehicle 24 shift lever 38 switch body 46 button (moving body) 56 LCD (display means) 58 backlight (display means) 90 ignition switch 92 button (moving body) 94 indicator section (display means) 110 ignition switch 114 Button (moving body) 116 Indicator section (display means) 118 Indicator section (display means) 120 Seating sensor (detection means) 122 Door sensor (detection means) 124 Foot brake sensor (detection means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G05G 1/02 G05G 1/02 B (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Isoya 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Tokai Rika Electric Machine Co., Ltd. F term in reference (reference) 3D040 AA01 AA22 AA28 AA33 AB01 AC12 AC55 AC65 AD04 AD06 AD11 AE19 3D044 BA04 BA16 BA19 BB01 BC13 BD05 BD08 BD13 3J070 AA07 BA11 CA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A position in which a finger of a hand of an occupant holding the shift lever can contact the vicinity of a shift lever that operates a transmission of the vehicle by being operated while being held by an occupant of the vehicle or A moving body provided at a position on an extension of an occupant's arm and the shift lever; holding the moving body movably; detecting a displacement of the moving body to start an engine of the vehicle; or ,
An ignition switch comprising: a switch body for stopping; 2. A state of the vehicle, which is provided in the vicinity of the moving body or substantially integrally with the moving body, and is directly or indirectly connected to the switch body, and displays a state of the vehicle that is changed according to the displacement of the moving body. The ignition switch according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that performs the operation. 3. A detecting means provided at an appropriate position of the vehicle for detecting a state of the vehicle, wherein a display of the display means is changed based on a detection result of the detecting means. 2. The ignition switch according to 2.