JP2007276663A - Display device of vehicular electrical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device of vehicular electrical equipment capable of allowing an occupant to clearly recognize the operational state of a main switch while sufficiently enhancing a rendition effect. <P>SOLUTION: By pushing a main switch MS, the power supply of an audio device is turned on and turned off, and by turning the main switch, the sound volume is adjusted. Lighting type display units 11 are arranged so as to surround the main switch MS. When the power supply of the main switch MS is turned on, the display units 11 are transferred from extinguished states to highly bright states, and thereafter set to intermediately bright states. When the sound volume of the main switch MS is adjusted, the display units 11 are transferred from the intermediately bright states to the highly bright states, and thereafter, returned to the intermediately bright states. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for vehicle electrical equipment.

  Electrical equipment mounted on vehicles, such as audio equipment, is equipped with a main switch for turning the power on and off and other various operation switches. Recently, the number of switches to be operated increases with the increase in functions. Tend to. The main switch is used to turn the power on and off by, for example, a push operation (pressing operation), and to change the operating state of the electrical equipment such as a volume change by the turning operation. Also, recently, there is a tendency that it is preferred to equip the passenger compartment with an illumination that is lit at an appropriate brightness to enhance the production effect in the passenger compartment.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of display units that can be turned on and off are arranged in series in the vehicle width direction, and each display unit It has been proposed that a switch is provided on each of the upper and lower sides, and that the occupant recognize the switch-on operation and the operating state of the electrical equipment by identifying whether the display unit is turned on or off.
JP 2004-262304 A

  By the way, it is not always satisfactory as a production effect only by identifying whether the display unit is turned on or off, and it is difficult to clearly recognize the operating state of the electrical equipment. In particular, when the main switch is provided with another operation function such as volume adjustment in addition to the power on / off operation of the electrical equipment, one main switch has a plurality of operation functions. It becomes necessary to make the operating situation, that is, the operating situation of the electrical equipment, particularly clear.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances as described above, and its purpose is to make it possible for a passenger to more clearly recognize the operation status of the main switch while sufficiently enhancing the effect of production. It is to provide a display device for electrical equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
A display device for electrical equipment mounted on a vehicle,
A main switch set to turn on and off the electrical equipment, and to perform a predetermined operation for changing an operating state other than turning on and off the electrical equipment;
A display unit whose display brightness can be changed;
Brightness changing means for changing the display brightness of the display unit according to the operation state of the main switch;
With
The brightness changing means sets the display brightness of the display unit to an intermediate brightness from a light-off state to a high brightness state when a power-on operation is performed by the main switch, and the predetermined operation is performed by the main switch. When it is broken, it is set to the intermediate brightness through the high brightness state from the intermediate brightness.
It is like that.

  According to the above-described solution, when the power is turned on by the main switch, the display unit is not simply turned on, but once the display unit is switched from the off state to the high luminance state, the display unit is shifted to the intermediate luminance. Therefore, the occupant can more clearly recognize that the power is turned on by operating the main switch while experiencing a sufficient effect of the brightness change. In addition, since the display unit is finally maintained at an intermediate luminance, it can be clearly recognized that the power is on. In addition, when the main switch is operated for a predetermined operation other than turning the power on and off, the display unit returns from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state. While experiencing the effect, it is possible to clearly recognize a change in the operating status of the electrical equipment.

A preferred mode based on the above solution is as described in claim 2 and the following claims. That is,
The luminance changing means is configured to change the display luminance of the display unit from the intermediate luminance to the high luminance state and turn off when the power is turned off by the main switch (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, when the power is turned off, the display unit is turned off after passing through a high luminance state. Can be clearly recognized.

  The display unit is configured to gradually change the luminance (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, it is preferable to secure time for experiencing the luminance change and sufficiently enhance the production effect, and to ensure that the occupant recognizes that the luminance change, that is, the operating status of the electrical equipment is changed. .

The electrical equipment further has an operation switch independent of the main switch,
When the operation switch is operated, the display brightness of the display unit is set from the intermediate brightness to the intermediate brightness through the high brightness state.
(Corresponding to claim 4). In this case, when the operation switch other than the main switch is operated, the operation status of the electrical equipment is changed while sufficiently enhancing the effect as in the case of operating the main switch. Can be clearly recognized.

  The brightness change mode when the main switch is operated is set to be different from the brightness change mode when the operation switch is operated (corresponding to claim 5). In this case, the difference between the operation of the main switch and the operation of the other operation switches, and the difference in the change in the operating state of the electrical equipment accompanying this, is preferable for clearly distinguishing the occupant. Moreover, since the aspect of a luminance change increases, it is preferable for enhancing the effect of production more sufficiently.

A plurality of the operation switches are provided,
The luminance change mode when a certain operation switch among the operation switches is operated is set to be different from the luminance change mode when another operation switch is operated.
(Corresponding to claim 6). In this case, it is preferable to allow the occupant to clearly distinguish between the operated switches and the difference in the change in the operating status of the electrical equipment accompanying the operation switches. Moreover, since the aspect of a luminance change increases, it is preferable for enhancing the effect of production more sufficiently.

  The difference in the luminance change mode can be the luminance change speed, the number of luminance changes, or the luminance change cycle (corresponding to claims 7 to 9). In this case, a specific mode of luminance change is provided.

The electrical equipment is an audio equipment,
The predetermined operation is a volume operation;
(Corresponding to claim 10). In this case, the main switch can also be used for power on / off and volume adjustment. In addition, since power-on / off operations and volume operation operations are frequently performed, it is possible to frequently obtain an effect that uses a change in luminance of the display unit.

The electrical equipment is an audio equipment having a plurality of audio sources,
The operation switch is an audio source changeover switch,
When the changeover switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is performed only once.
(Corresponding to claim 11). In this case, the switching operation of the audio source is not performed very frequently, for example, switching between a radio and a CD (compact disc) or the like, and the switching operation of the audio source is performed, for example, by pressing a certain operation switch once. Since it is generally a simple operation of pressing, it is preferable to match the audio source switching operation and the number of luminance changes with the occupant's sense by making the luminance change only one time minimum. It becomes.

The electrical equipment is a receiving device for receiving broadcasts,
The operation switch is a preset switch that is operated when performing a tuning preset,
When the preset switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is performed a plurality of times.
This is done (corresponding to claim 12). In this case, presetting (registering) the receiving station (reception frequency) in advance according to the current area can be clearly recognized by the occupant while sufficiently enhancing the effect by a plurality of luminance changes.

The electrical equipment is a receiving device for receiving broadcasts,
The operation switch is a search switch operated for a receiving station search,
When the search switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is repeatedly performed.
(Corresponding to claim 13). In this case, since the search for the receiving station (reception frequency) is often performed while continuously operating the operation switch, the operation of the search operation switch and the repetition of the luminance change are repeated by repeatedly performing the luminance change. It is preferable to match the sense of the occupant, and the production effect is extremely high.

  The display section is arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the main switch (corresponding to claim 14). In this case, the display part is set in a ring shape so as to surround the main switch that is frequently operated, so that the effect of the production is improved and the position confirmation of the main switch using the display part is facilitated. It is preferable in satisfying both.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make the occupant more clearly recognize the operation state of the main switch, that is, the operation state of the electrical equipment, while sufficiently enhancing the effect.

  In FIG. 1, D is an electrical equipment, and this electrical equipment D is arranged at a position where it can be easily seen by an occupant (especially a driver) and easily accessible by fingers, such as an approximately middle position of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction. Established. In the embodiment, the electrical equipment D has a CD (compact disc) playback function (CD drive), a terrestrial radio reception function (tuner), and a satellite radio reception function (tuner).

  In the upper part of the electrical equipment D, an entrance / exit 10 for a CD disc extending in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is formed. Operation switches S1 and S2 are arranged on the left side of the entrance / exit 10, and an operation switch S3 is arranged on the right side of the entrance / exit 10. Each operation switch S1-S3 is made into the push type, for example. The operation switch S1 issues an operation command for automatically inserting a CD disk into the entrance / exit 10. The operation switch S2 is for instructing replacement of a CD disc to be reproduced from a plurality of (for example, six) CD discs stored in the CD changer. The operation switch S3 issues a command to eject the CD disk from the entrance / exit 10.

  A circular main switch MS is disposed below the doorway 10 and substantially in the middle in the left-right direction. Around the main switch MS, a ring-shaped display unit 11 is disposed concentrically with the main switch MS. The inner diameter of the ring-shaped display unit 11 is made considerably larger than the outer shape of the main switch MS, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced intervals are provided on the outer periphery of the main switch MS and on the inner peripheral side of the display unit 11. Operation switches S11 to 14 are provided. Each of the operation switches S11 to S14 has an arc shape and is set to have a shape and a size so as to fill the space between the main switch MS and the display unit 11 with almost no gap.

  The main switch MS performs power on / off commands and volume adjustment. More specifically, the main switch MS protrudes rearward (front side of the page) from the periphery of the main switch MS. For example, every time a push operation (pressing operation) is performed, a power on command and an off command are alternately performed. At the same time, a volume adjustment command is issued by rotating. The display unit 11 is turned on using, for example, an LED or the like as a light source. As described later, the display unit 11 is switched between a light-off state and a light-on state, and its luminance is changed in the light-on state.

  Each of the operation switches S11 to S14 is a push type, and is used for switching an audio source. That is, the operation switch S11 selects a terrestrial radio, and alternately performs an FM broadcast selection command and an AM broadcast selection command each time a push operation is performed. The operation switch S12 is for CD selection command. The operation switch S13 is for selecting an optional audio source. In the embodiment, the operation switch S13 is a dummy switch because no option is provided. The operation switch S14 is for instructing selection of satellite radio, and is provided, for example, for receiving satellite radio in the United States.

  An operation switch S22 is provided in the lower left part of the electrical equipment D, and an operation switch S23 is provided in the lower right part. The operation switch S22 is for tuning (for changing the reception frequency). The operation switch S23 is for sound quality adjustment. Each of the operation switches S22 and S23 slightly protrudes rearward from the periphery of the operation switches S22 and S23, and is operated to rotate while being pressed.

  Below the doorway 10 and above the operation switches S22 and S23, a large number of operation switches S31 to S42 are arranged in series in the left-right direction in two stages. Each of the operation switches S31 to S42 is a push type, and commands to be in a predetermined operating state. Since the functions of the operation switches S31 to S42 themselves (command contents corresponding to the operation) are the same as the conventional ones, detailed description thereof will be omitted, but portions related to the luminance change of the display unit 11 will be described later. To do.

  FIG. 2 shows the function of the electrical equipment D in a block diagram. In FIG. 2, MCR is a main controller and SCR is a sub-controller. The main controller MCR controls the FM / AM tuner AC1, the CD drive AC2, the SIRUS (a type of satellite radio) tuner AC3, and the speaker 15 in accordance with the operations (commands) from the various switches described above. Further, the main controller MCR instructs an action code to the sub-controller SCR in response to operations (commands) from the various switches described above. The action code indicates a luminance change mode or the like of the display unit 11, and the sub controller SCR displays the display unit 11 so that the display unit 11 is lit and displayed (luminance change) with contents corresponding to the action code. To control. The controller MCR and SCR constitute luminance changing means.

  3 and 4 show an example of the action code. The action code “0000” is the content that keeps the display unit 11 off. The action code “0001” has a content for continuously displaying the normal luminance, that is, the intermediate luminance. The action code “1000” is a content that gradually changes from normal luminance to high luminance, maintains the high luminance state for a predetermined time, and then gradually shifts to the extinguished state. The action code “1001” is a content that gradually changes from normal luminance to high luminance, maintains the high luminance state for a predetermined time, gradually returns to normal luminance, and then maintains normal luminance. The action code “1010” is a content that gradually shifts from the extinguished state to the high luminance state, maintains the high luminance state for a predetermined time, then gradually shifts to the normal luminance, and maintains the normal luminance. The action code “1011” is a content that gradually changes from normal luminance to high luminance, maintains the high luminance state for a predetermined time, and then gradually shifts to normal luminance to maintain normal luminance. The action code “1100” gradually changes from normal luminance to high luminance, maintains a high luminance state for a predetermined time, gradually returns to normal luminance, and then maintains a period until normal luminance is maintained for a predetermined time. Once, such a period is continuously performed twice, and then the normal brightness is maintained. The action code “1101” gradually changes from normal luminance to high luminance, and after maintaining the high luminance state for a predetermined time, after gradually returning to normal luminance, the period until the normal luminance is maintained for a predetermined time is set. As long as the corresponding operation switch continues to be operated, such a cycle is repeated.

  The above-described gradual transition time from normal luminance to high luminance, time to maintain high luminance, gradual transition time from high luminance to normal luminance, and the like may be set differently between action codes. For example, focusing on the transition time (transition speed) from intermediate luminance to high luminance, the action codes “1000” and “1010” have the longest value of 1770 msec, the action code “1001” has the second longest at 409 msec, The action code “1011” is the third longest at 272 msec, and the action codes “1100” and “1101” are the shortest at 136 msec. In addition, the time for maintaining the high luminance state is also appropriately set so as to be different in size, and the time for gradually shifting from high luminance to normal luminance is also set to be appropriately different. Overall, in the case of the action code “1100” that is repeated twice or the action code “1101” that is continuously repeated, as compared with the case of other action codes that change the brightness only once, The period is shortened (the transition time between normal brightness and high brightness and the time for maintaining high brightness are shortened).

  Next, the relationship between the operation of the main switch MS and the luminance change (action code) of the display unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. First, “ACC” in the “operation button” column of FIG. 5 indicates the accessory (ACC) position of the ignition key switch, and ACC-ON indicates that the ignition key switch is in the accessory position or the engine is operated. The middle time is indicated, and ACC-OFF indicates the other position. Also. “POWER” means the main switch MS. If the ACC-ON is performed when the main switch MS is ON, the luminance of the display unit 11 is changed by the action code 1010. When the main switch MS is turned on and ACC-OFF is performed, the brightness of the display unit is changed by the action code 1000.

  When the main switch MS is pressed to turn on the power, the display unit 11 is changed in luminance by the action code “1010”. In other words, the brightness is gradually changed from the extinguished state to the high luminance, and after maintaining the high luminance state for a predetermined time, the luminance is gradually changed to the normal luminance, and the luminance change is maintained to maintain the normal luminance. (Corresponding to the content of claim 1). When the main switch MS is pressed and the power is turned off, the brightness of the display unit 11 is changed with the action code “1000”. That is, the brightness gradually changes from the normal brightness state to the high brightness, and after the high brightness is maintained for a predetermined time, the light is gradually turned off and finally turned off (claims in claims) 2).

  “VOL” in the “operation button” column is a volume adjustment operation by rotating the main switch MS. When the volume is turned clockwise, the volume is turned up, and when the volume is turned down, the volume is turned counterclockwise. In each case, the luminance of the display unit 11 is changed by the action code “1001” (corresponding to claim 1 in the claims).

  “AUDIO CONT” in the “operation button” column is an operation of the operation switch S23, but the luminance of the display unit 11 is not particularly changed (no action code). The “source button” in the “operation button” column corresponds to the operation of the operation switches S11 to S14. That is, when any one of the operation switches S11 to S14 is operated while the power is on, the brightness of the display unit 11 is changed according to the content of the action code “1011” (however, in the embodiment, the operation switch S13 is changed). Since there is no optional device corresponding to the above, there is no change in luminance due to the operation of the operation switch S13). The action code “1011” of the operation switches S11 to S14 and the action code “1001” at the time of adjusting the volume of the main switch MS are the same in that they return from normal luminance to normal luminance through a high luminance state. However, the time for gradually changing between the normal brightness and the high brightness and the time for maintaining the high brightness are different from each other, and the brightness change is different between the operation of the main switch MS and the operation of the operation switches S11 to S14. (The luminance change accompanying the volume adjustment by the main switch MS becomes slower as a whole, and the time until finally returning to the normal luminance becomes longer). When any of the operation switches S11 to S14 is operated while the power is off, the luminance of the display unit 11 is changed by the content of the action code “1010”. That is, the operation switches S11 to S14 also serve as a power ON command.

  FIG. 6 shows the content of the luminance change when the operation switch related to the terrestrial radio is operated. The contents of FIG. 6 are clear from the description of FIG. 5 described above, and supplementary explanation is given in the “remarks” column in the figure, so that further detailed explanation of FIG. 6 is omitted. In FIG. 6, the operation switches for “SEEK” are S31 (for UP) and S37 (for DOWN), the operation switch for “SCAN” is S33, the operation switch for “TUNE” is S22, and “ The operation switches related to “PRESET” are S34 to S36 and S40 to S43.

  FIG. 7 shows the content of the luminance change when the operation switch related to the CD is operated. As in the case of FIG. 6, detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 7, the operation switch related to “FF” is S41, and the operation switch related to “REW” is S40. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the correspondence relationship between the operation switch related to the satellite radio “SIRIUS” and the luminance change, and “SAT” in the “operation button” column means the operation switch S14. Note that “SIRUS” as a satellite radio is specially adapted to the country, and the details of the contents are not directly related to the present invention, so further explanation is omitted.

  Here, a difference in luminance change is set between the operation switches other than the main switch MS. That is, for example, in FIG. 6, “PRESET” is an action code “1100”, whereas “SCAN” is an action code “1101”. In FIG. 7, “FF” and “REW” are the action code “1101”, while the action code in other cases is “1011”. In this way, by setting the operation switches to have a luminance change, the luminance changes according to the operation switch operation (command content) and the change in the operating status of the electrical equipment D according to the operation switch. Therefore, it is preferable in terms of matching as much as possible.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the scope of claims. For example, the invention includes the following cases. . As another operation other than the power on / off operation by the main switch MS, in addition to the volume adjustment, a frequency change, a sound quality change, and the like can be appropriately set. The display portion 11 can be appropriately changed in its arrangement position, shape, size, number of installations, etc. so that it can be easily seen by the occupant (especially the driver). For example, the display portion 11 is elongated in the left-right direction or the up-down direction. Alternatively, it can be spaced apart from each corner of the electrical equipment D, or can be set so that the surface of the main switch MS is lit almost entirely. The electrical equipment D is not limited to an audio equipment, and may be an appropriate equipment such as an air conditioner. In the case of air-conditioning equipment, the main switch corresponding to the main switch MS may be operated for temperature adjustment or air volume adjustment by, for example, turning operation, in addition to turning the power on and off. As a switch, it can be set as appropriate switches, such as for temperature adjustment, air volume adjustment, outlet change, and switching between indoor circulation and outside air introduction. Further, the electrical equipment D may be a combination of a plurality of types of electrical equipment such as an audio equipment and an air conditioner that are completely different equipment. In this case, the present invention is applied to any one electrical equipment. The present invention may be applied only to a plurality of electrical devices, or to all electrical devices. The main switch MS is not limited to being provided at a position where it can be easily operated by the driver (for the front seat occupant), but can also be provided at a position where it can be easily operated by the rear seat occupant (for the rear seat occupant). For one electrical device D, a plurality of main switches MS and the like may be provided, that is, a plurality of display operation surfaces as shown in FIG. 1 may be provided for the front seat and the rear seat (in this case, the latest operation is performed). The selected switch is changed to a priority operating status). Of course, the object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly stated, but also implicitly includes providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage.

The front view which shows an example of an electrical equipment. The figure which shows the control system of an electrical equipment in block diagram form. The figure which shows the example of a setting of the action code which shows a brightness | luminance change content. The figure which shows the example of a setting of the action code which shows a brightness | luminance change content. The figure which shows the correspondence of operation of a main switch, and an action code. The figure which shows the correspondence of operation of the operation switch for terrestrial radio, and an action code. The figure which shows the correspondence of operation of the operation switch for CD, and an action code. The figure which shows the correspondence of operation of the operation switch for satellite radio, and an action code. The figure which shows the correspondence of operation of the operation switch for satellite radio, and an action code.

Explanation of symbols

10: Entrance / exit of CD disk 11: Display 15: Speaker D: Electrical equipment MS: Main switches S1 to S3: Operation switches S11 to S14: Operation switches S22, S23: Operation switches S31 to S42: Operation switch MCR: Main controller SCR : Sub-controller

Claims (14)

A display device for electrical equipment mounted on a vehicle,
A main switch set to turn on and off the electrical equipment, and to perform a predetermined operation for changing an operating state other than turning on and off the electrical equipment;
A display unit whose display brightness can be changed;
Brightness changing means for changing the display brightness of the display unit according to the operation state of the main switch;
With
The brightness changing means sets the display brightness of the display unit to an intermediate brightness from a light-off state to a high brightness state when a power-on operation is performed by the main switch, and the predetermined operation is performed by the main switch. When it is broken, it is set to the intermediate brightness through the high brightness state from the intermediate brightness.
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. In claim 1,
The display of a vehicular electrical apparatus characterized in that the brightness changing means changes the display brightness of the display unit from an intermediate brightness to a high brightness state when the power is turned off by the main switch. apparatus. In claim 1 or claim 2,
A display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein a luminance change of the display unit is gradually performed. In claim 3,
The electrical equipment further has an operation switch independent of the main switch,
When the operation switch is operated, the display luminance of the display unit is set from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state. In claim 4,
A display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein a luminance change mode when the main switch is operated is set to be different from a luminance change mode when the operation switch is operated. In claim 4,
A plurality of the operation switches are provided,
The luminance change mode when a certain operation switch among the operation switches is operated is set to be different from the luminance change mode when another operation switch is operated.
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. In claim 5 or claim 6,
A display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein the difference in luminance change mode is a luminance change speed. In claim 5 or claim 6,
A display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein the difference in the luminance change mode is the number of luminance changes. In claim 5 or claim 6,
A display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein the difference in luminance change mode is a cycle of luminance change. In claim 1,
The electrical equipment is an audio equipment,
The predetermined operation is a volume operation;
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. In claim 4,
The electrical equipment is an audio equipment having a plurality of audio sources,
The operation switch is an audio source changeover switch,
When the changeover switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is performed only once.
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. In claim 4,
The electrical equipment is a receiving device for receiving broadcasts,
The operation switch is a preset switch that is operated when channel selection preset is performed,
When the preset switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is performed a plurality of times.
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. In claim 4,
The electrical equipment is a receiving device for receiving broadcasts,
The operation switch is a search switch that is operated for receiving station search,
When the search switch is operated, the change from the intermediate luminance to the intermediate luminance through the high luminance state is repeatedly performed.
A display device for a vehicular electrical equipment. 14. In any one of claims 1 to 13,
The display device for an electrical device for a vehicle, wherein the display unit is arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the main switch.

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