JP2004082863A - Combination switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination switch capable of facilitating operation during traveling and reducing a manufacturing cost, by providing operation switches of an air conditioner frequently operated during traveling. <P>SOLUTION: The combination switch comprises a combination switch main body 1 fixable to a vehicular steering column, an operating lever 2 rockably attached to the combination switch main body 1, and a wiper switch actuating a vehicular wiper following rocking of the operating lever 2 to the combination switch main body 1. An A/C switch 4 for operating an air conditioner mounted in a vehicle, a fan switch 5, and a temperature controlling dial 6 are provided on the operating lever 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a combination switch mounted on a steering column of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a combination switch is fixed to a steering column of an automobile, and the wiper can be swung by swinging an operation lever extending from the main body in one direction (a direction substantially parallel to a turning surface of a steering handle). In addition to being able to operate, the washer liquid can be sprayed onto the windshield by swinging in another direction (a direction substantially orthogonal to the one direction).
[0003]
In addition, the operation lever is usually provided with an operation knob for operating a wiper provided on a rear glass of an automobile, an operation button for spraying a washer liquid on the rear glass, and the like. However, the switch related to the wiper operation of the automobile can be provided in one operation lever, and the operability at the time of the wiper operation has been improved.
[0004]
The operation of the air conditioner of the automobile is performed by, for example, an A / C switch for operating or stopping the air conditioner, a fan switch for operating or stopping the fan, and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature. Is generally disposed on or near an instrument panel of an automobile. As for air conditioners, in addition to manual air conditioners, auto air conditioners and semi-auto air conditioners have become widespread.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the operation switches for operating the air conditioner are provided on the instrument panel or in the vicinity thereof, at the time of operation during traveling, the line of sight must be lowered considerably, and the operation while traveling may be difficult. There was a problem that it was difficult.
[0006]
On the other hand, since the operation switches of the rear wiper are provided in the combination switch, the operation switches of the rear wiper can be operated without lowering the line of sight during traveling. Compared with the other types, the frequency of use during driving of the automobile is low, and the effect of being easy to operate during driving cannot be sufficiently exhibited.
[0007]
Furthermore, some types of vehicles do not have a rear wiper.At the manufacturing site, it is necessary to prepare both a combination switch with an operation lever for the operation lever of the rear switch and a vehicle without the rear wiper. There was a problem that cost increased. On the other hand, air conditioners have been installed in almost all types of vehicles.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to provide operation switches for an air conditioner that is frequently operated during traveling on an operation lever to facilitate operation during traveling and reduce manufacturing costs. It is to provide a combination switch that can be reduced.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a combination switch body that can be fixed to a steering column of a vehicle, an operation lever that is swingably attached to the combination switch body, and a swing of the operation lever with respect to the combination switch body. A combination switch including a wiper switch for operating a wiper of the vehicle, wherein an air conditioner operation unit for operating an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle is provided on the operation lever.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the combination switch according to the first aspect, the air conditioner operation unit is provided at a protruding end of the operation lever, and when pressed, a pressed state is maintained to operate the air conditioner. An A / C switch for returning to the original state and stopping the air conditioner when pressed again, and a fan switch for rotating around the axis of the operation lever to adjust or stop the operation of the fan attached to the air conditioner; A temperature control dial that rotates about the axis of the operation lever and controls an actuator attached to the air conditioner to control the temperature in the vehicle compartment.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the combination switch according to the second aspect, an indicator provided on a meter panel of the vehicle is turned on when the A / C switch is pressed.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
The combination switch according to the present embodiment is fixed to a steering column of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is used to operate various electric components mounted on the automobile. As shown in FIG. It mainly comprises a lever 2.
[0013]
The combination switch body 1 is provided with a through hole 1a substantially at the center, and a steering pipe (not shown) is inserted through the through hole 1a, and is fixed to a stay provided on the steering pipe with a bolt or the like. An operation lever 2 for operating a wiper-related operation of the vehicle is formed to project from the left side surface of the combination switch body 1 in the figure. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation lever for operating a light-related operation of the vehicle.
[0014]
The operation lever 2 swings with respect to the combination switch body 1 in the arrow direction in the figure (direction substantially parallel to the turning surface of the steering handle) and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction (front side in the figure). Mounted to get. In particular, when the operation lever 2 is swung in the direction of the arrow, a wiper switch (not shown) is turned on in accordance with the swing, and the wiper of the vehicle is operated. When the operation lever 2 is pulled toward the user and rocked, the operation can be performed so that the washer liquid is sprayed onto the windshield.
[0015]
Here, an A / C switch 4, a fan switch 5, and a temperature control dial 6 are formed on the operation lever 2, and these switches are operated by an air conditioner operating unit for operating an automatic air conditioner mounted on the vehicle. Is composed. As shown in FIG. 5, such an air conditioner operation unit is electrically connected to a control unit of the vehicle, and the control unit is electrically connected to a compressor, an actuator, a blower motor, and other sensors constituting the air conditioner. .
[0016]
That is, when the driver operates the A / C switch 4, the fan switch 5, and the temperature control dial 6 provided on the operation lever 2, an electric signal is sent to the control unit, and control suitable for operation of each switch is performed. Is performed. Note that the actuator is configured to operate a temperature adjustment damper or the like, and the blower motor is configured to adjust the amount of air sent into the vehicle. The control unit may be a current control unit of the air conditioner obtained by adding a program, or may be a newly added control unit.
[0017]
The A / C switch 4 is provided at the protruding end of the operation lever 2, and when pressed, the pressed state is maintained to operate the air conditioner, and when pressed again, the air conditioner returns to the original state and stops the air conditioner. Things. More specifically, the A / C switch 4 can be turned on and off by a mechanical latch mechanism, and includes a button 7, a spring 8, an action piece 9, and a holder 10, as shown in FIG. Is configured.
[0018]
The button 7 is urged leftward by a spring 8 so as to be disposed so as to protrude from the end of the operation lever 2 by a predetermined dimension. A stopper S is provided on the right side of the button 7 by a predetermined dimension in the figure to restrict the movement of the button 7 when the button 7 is pressed, and a movable contact ( (Not shown).
[0019]
On the other hand, in the operation lever 2, fixed contacts that can come into contact with movable contacts formed on the end surface of the button 7 when the button 7 contacts the stopper S are formed. The contact state is maintained and the energized state is maintained, whereby the control unit drives the air conditioner. Maintaining such an energized state (that is, a pressed state) is performed by a latch mechanism including the holder 10 and the action piece 9 rotatable around the axis of the holder 10.
[0020]
The action piece 9 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a cam groove (not shown) is formed on an outer peripheral wall thereof. A protrusion extending from the button 7 is fitted into the cam groove. The action piece 9 rotates as the button 7 is pressed and slides, and the button 7 is At the contact position, the protrusion is locked by the cam groove, the button 7 is kept in the pressed state, and power is supplied by contact of the contact.
[0021]
When the pressed button 7 is pressed again, the locking of the projection by the cam groove is released, and the button 7 is configured to return to the original position by the urging force of the spring 8. As a result, the contacts are separated from each other and no current is supplied, and the compressor is stopped via the control unit.
[0022]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the button 7 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6, the indicator 11 arranged on the meter panel P of the vehicle is turned on via the control unit. The indicator 11 is composed of, for example, an LED of a predetermined color, and when lit, indicates to the driver that the air conditioner is being driven.
[0023]
The fan switch 5 rotates around the axis of the operation lever 2 to adjust or stop the operation of a fan (blower motor) attached to the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. , Rollers 15. The roller 15 is rotatable together with the knob 13, and has a tension ball (not shown) disposed therein. When the knob 13 is rotated, a moderation by the tension ball is obtained between the positions.
[0024]
A movable contact 15a is formed on the roller 15, and is slidable with a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the left end surface of the terminal block 14 in FIG. That is, when the roller 15 rotates along with the rotation of the knob 13, contact between the contacts corresponding to the position is obtained, and the blower motor is driven via the control unit in accordance with the position of the knob 13. Thus, for example, the air flow from the air conditioner can be adjusted to an arbitrary amount (1 to 3 steps or the like) or stopped (air volume is 0).
[0025]
The temperature control dial 6 rotates around the axis of the operation lever 2 similarly to the fan switch 5 and controls an actuator attached to the air conditioner to control the temperature in the vehicle compartment. It is mainly composed. A ring 16 fixed to the operation lever 2 is formed between the knob 13 of the fan switch 5 and the knob 17 of the temperature control dial 6. A number indicating the adjustment stage of the (blower motor) is printed or the like (see FIG. 2).
[0026]
A tension ball (not shown) is provided in the knob 17, and forms a multi-step click that provides a click with the rotation of the knob 17. A movable contact is formed on the right end surface of the knob 17 in FIG. 3, so that the knob 17 can slide on a circuit 19 (see FIG. 4) formed on the left end surface of the knob 18 in FIG. The circuit 19 formed at the terminal 18 has a predetermined resistance value having a shape as shown in FIG. 4, and the resistance value changes depending on the position of the movable contact.
[0027]
That is, since the voltage of the current flowing through the circuit 19 fluctuates according to the position of the knob 17, the voltage value is compared with the voltage value output from the actuator that operates the temperature control flap, and the rotation direction and position are determined by the control unit. , The actuator is operated in conjunction with the position of the knob 17. Such control is always performed while power is supplied to the control unit (generally, the engine of the vehicle is being driven).
[0028]
If the knob 17 is rotated to change the set temperature while the engine of the vehicle is stopped (that is, in a state where power is not supplied to the control unit), the comparison control with the set temperature is not performed. Therefore, it is preferable that a voltage change due to the position of the knob 17 is detected every time the engine is started, and the actuator is always linked to the set position.
[0029]
According to the combination switch having the above configuration, the operation lever 2 is provided with an air conditioner operation section for operating an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle. There is no need to drop it, and operation during traveling can be facilitated. Further, as described above, the switches for operating the rear wiper, which are conventionally provided, are replaced with switches for operating the air conditioner, so that the manufacturing cost of the combination switch can be reduced.
[0030]
That is, some types of automobiles do not have a rear wiper.Therefore, at a manufacturing site, conventionally, a combination switch in which operation switches for the rear wiper are formed, and a combination switch in which a rear wiper is not formed are separately prepared. In contrast, air conditioners are installed in almost all types of vehicles, so it is sufficient to prepare a single combination switch with or without a rear wiper. Can be reduced.
[0031]
Further, since the indicator 11 which is turned on in conjunction with the A / C switch 4 is provided on the meter panel P, the line of sight during traveling is much lower than that of the conventional instrument panel or the vicinity thereof. The operation of the air conditioner can be checked without dropping the air conditioner, and safety can be improved.
[0032]
Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioner operated by the air conditioner operation unit may be an automatic or semi-auto air conditioner.
[0033]
Further, in the present embodiment, the indicator 11 for allowing the driver to confirm the driving of the air conditioner is provided on the meter panel P. However, this display means is provided on the instrument panel or in the vicinity thereof as in the related art. You may make it. Further, the air conditioner operation unit may be provided with at least one of the A / C switch 4, the fan switch 5, and the temperature control dial 6, and may be used to operate the air conditioner. May be formed as a combination switch.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation levers of the air conditioner, which are frequently operated during traveling, are provided on the operation lever, so that the operation during traveling can be facilitated and the manufacturing cost of the combination switch can be reduced. Can be done.
[0035]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the A / C switch, the fan switch, and the temperature control dial are provided on the operation lever, almost all operation switches generally required by an air conditioner can be provided on the operation lever. It is possible to operate the air conditioner sufficiently without lowering the air conditioner too much.
[0036]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the A / C switch is pressed, the indicator provided on the meter panel of the vehicle is turned on. It is possible to check the operation or stop of the air conditioner without dropping the line of sight during traveling.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an operation lever of the combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a wiring state of the combination switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Schematic diagram showing temperature setting display means.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Combination switch main body 2 ... Operation lever 3 ... (for light) Operation lever 4 ... A / C switch 5 ... Fan switch 6 ... Temperature control dial 7 ... Button 8 ... Spring 9 ... Action piece 10 ... Holder 11 ... Indicator 13 ... Knob 14 Terminal block 15 Roller 16 Ring 17 Knob 18 Terminal P Meter panel S Stopper

Claims (3)

A combination switch body that can be fixed to a vehicle steering column,
An operation lever swingably attached to the combination switch body,
A wiper switch for operating a wiper of the vehicle with swinging of the operation lever with respect to the combination switch body;
In a combination switch comprising
A combination switch, wherein an air conditioner operation unit for operating an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle is provided on the operation lever. The air conditioner operation unit includes:
An A / C switch that is provided at a protruding end of the operation lever and that operates to operate the air conditioner when pressed to maintain a pressed state, and to return to an original state and stop the air conditioner when pressed again;
A fan switch that rotates around the axis of the operation lever and adjusts or stops the operation of a fan attached to the air conditioner;
A temperature control dial that rotates about the axis of the operation lever and controls an actuator attached to the air conditioner to control the temperature in the vehicle compartment;
The combination switch according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The combination switch according to claim 2, wherein when the A / C switch is in a pressed state, an indicator disposed on a meter panel of the vehicle is turned on.

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