JP2009214570A - Operation device and vehicular air conditioner mounted with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device and a vehicular air-conditioning apparatus mounted with the same, capable of quickly setting the temperature and the air volume. <P>SOLUTION: This operation device 20 of the air conditioner 80 for setting the temperature and the air volume of a predetermined space, has a knob operation part 26 picked and operated by a fingertip of an operator, a first moving distance detecting means 32 for detecting a rotational quantity of the knob operation part, second moving distance detecting means 34 and 36 for detecting a tilting quantity or a parallel movement quantity of the knob operation part, and a control means 70 for setting any one of the temperature or the air volume based on detection output from the first moving distance detecting means and setting any other of the temperature or the air volume based on detection output from the second moving distance detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device for setting a temperature and an air volume in a predetermined space and a vehicle air conditioner equipped with the operating device.

This type of air conditioner adjusts the temperature of air in the passenger compartment, for example, and maintains the passenger compartment in a comfortable state.
Specifically, this air is set to a desired temperature and air volume by the operator, and is sent out from a predetermined outlet to the vehicle interior. These settings such as temperature and air volume are performed by the operating device.

  Here, if the operation device is provided with a plurality of dials, that is, dials for temperature setting, air volume setting, and outlet switching, the operation panel can be reduced in size. Absent. Therefore, an operating device in which these are integrated in one place is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-163033 A

By the way, in the above-described conventional technique, a seesaw switch is formed inside one dial switch.
Specifically, the dial type switch is configured separately from the seesaw type switch, and the seesaw type switch is configured to be tiltable in the vertical and horizontal directions. The dial switch sets the temperature, while the seesaw switch sets the air volume and switches the air outlet.

However, this operating device has a problem that the temperature and the air volume cannot be set quickly.
That is, when setting both the temperature and the air volume with the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the thumb and forefinger set the temperature by picking the outer periphery of the dial, and then separating the thumb and forefinger from the dial. This is because the air volume must be set by touching the upper surface portion of the seesaw formed inside the dial with the index finger. Similarly, when the dial portion is picked after touching the seesaw portion, the thumb and the index finger are once separated from the operating device.

As described above, in the above-described conventional technique, no special consideration is given to the point that the other is continuously operated without releasing the finger after the one is operated.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and provide an operating device that can quickly set the temperature and the air volume and a vehicle air conditioner equipped with the operating device.

  A first invention for achieving the above object is an operating device for an air conditioner that sets a temperature and an air volume of a predetermined space, and includes a knob operating unit that is operated by picking with a fingertip of an operator, and a knob operating unit. Based on the first movement amount detection means for detecting the rotation amount, the second movement amount detection means for detecting the tilting amount or the parallel movement amount of the knob operation unit, and the detection output from the first movement amount detection means. And control means for setting either the temperature or the air volume and setting either the temperature or the air volume based on the detection output from the second movement amount detection means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operating device of the air conditioner has a knob operation unit, and when setting the temperature and the air volume of the predetermined space, the knob operation unit is picked by the fingertip of the operator.
Here, the knob operation unit is configured such that the knob operation unit itself can rotate and tilt or translate, and the rotating part and the part that tilt or translate are not configured separately. And the amount of rotation of this knob operation part is detected by the first movement amount detection means, the amount of tilt or the parallel movement amount of the operation part is detected by the second movement amount detection means, and the control means The temperature and the air volume are set based on the detection output from each detection means.

  Accordingly, when both the temperature and the air volume are set, the knob operation part can be tilted or translated after the knob operation part is picked and rotated by the fingertip. In other words, the operator can quickly set the temperature and the air volume as compared with the prior art because the finger can continuously set the next setting without releasing the finger once picked for setting. .

Moreover, it is not necessary for the operator's eyes to continue to face the operating device, as compared with the prior art.
Further, in the air conditioner, the above-described temperature and air volume are the same concept set in a magnitude relationship. Therefore, if the temperatures and air volumes of the same concept are collected in one knob operation unit, the operation of the temperature and air volume is easy to understand and contributes to the downsizing of the operating device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the operating device has a plurality of outlet setting touch operation units arranged around the knob operation unit.
According to the second invention, in addition to the operation of the first invention, the switching of the air outlet is a concept that is not set in the magnitude relationship, unlike the temperature and the air volume described above. Therefore, switching of the outlet is performed by pushing the touch operation unit with a fingertip. In this way, if the operation parts having different concepts are configured separately, there is no hesitation in the operation by the operator.

According to a third invention, in the configuration of the first or second invention, the operating device has a temperature scale and an air volume scale along the outer periphery of the projection surface of the operation section, The scale and the air volume scale are displayed at positions that do not overlap each other.
According to the third invention, in addition to the effects of the first and second inventions, the temperature scale and the air volume scale are displayed at positions that do not overlap with each other along the outer periphery of the knob operation portion. Therefore, the operation of temperature and air volume becomes easier to understand.

The fourth invention is a vehicle air conditioner equipped with the first to third operating devices.
According to the fourth invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third inventions, if the above-described operation device is mounted on the vehicle air conditioner, the operator's viewpoint can grasp the operation device for a long time. There is no need to continue. Therefore, when the driver of the vehicle sets the temperature and the air volume, it is easy to concentrate on driving and safe driving can be performed.

  According to the present invention, after operating one, it is possible to continuously operate the other without releasing the finger, and to provide an operating device for quickly setting the temperature and the air volume and a vehicle air conditioner equipped with the operating device. Can do.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle 1, and an instrument panel 2 is arranged along the vehicle width direction in front of each seat as viewed from the seat 4. A windshield 6 is provided in front of the panel 2 so that the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 can be seen from each seat.

  On the other hand, an instrument 8 for displaying the speed, travel distance, shift position, etc. of the vehicle 1 is arranged in the front of the panel 2 in the driver's seat, and the handle 10 is directed from the lower side of the panel 2 toward the seat 4. It is rotatably attached to the tip of the extending shaft 11. Further, a shift lever 12 is attached to the peripheral wall of the shaft 11 so as to be movable up and down, and the lever 12 extends toward the passenger seat.

  In addition, an air blowing port 14 is formed on the front surface of the panel 2 by an air conditioning device (air conditioner) 80, which will be described later, and is sent out from the blowing port 14 toward the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the air outlets of this embodiment are also arranged at the feet of the driver's seat and the passenger seat and above the driver's seat and the passenger seat, respectively, and the air is also directed from the respective outlets into the vehicle interior. Are sent out.

  A monitor 16 is installed on the upper surface of the panel 2 between the driver seat and the passenger seat. The monitor 16 is a component of the navigation device, and the display screen is configured to display a map, an operation menu, and the like when the device is activated. The monitor 16 may be embedded at an appropriate position on the panel 2.

  Further, as seen in the figure, a center console 18 is installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The console 18 protrudes from the lower side of the instrument panel 2 toward the seat 4. In the console 18, a slot of the audio device is disposed at an appropriate position on the seat 4 side. It is configured to be insertable.

In the console 18, an operation device (operation device) 20 is provided at an appropriate position on the outlet 14 side. The device 20 is a component of the air conditioning apparatus 80, and each operation of switching the temperature, the air volume, and the outlet of the passenger compartment can be performed as the apparatus 80 is activated.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation device 20 has a rectangular operation panel 22, and a base 24 is fitted inside the panel 22.

A rotation tilt knob (pick operation unit) 26 is installed at a substantially central portion of the base 24.
The rotation tilt knob 26 of the present embodiment has a substantially cup shape opened toward the panel 22. Further, a connecting shaft extends inside the opening periphery of the knob 26, the upper end of the connecting shaft is connected to the back side of the circular top surface 28, and the front side of the top surface 28 is arranged toward the vehicle interior. The

A dial 30 extending toward the base 24 is formed on the periphery of the top surface 28, and the top surface 28 and the dial 30 are integrally formed.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, the lower end of the connecting shaft is connected to a rotating shaft via a coupling described later, and the knob 26 having the top surface 28 and the dial 30 is connected to the rotating shaft via the rotating shaft. The base 24 is rotatably supported.

Further, when the base 24 is viewed from the passenger compartment, a temperature setting scale (scale) 38 and an air volume setting scale (scale) 40 are respectively arranged on the outer peripheral side of the dial 30. In this embodiment, The temperature setting scale 38 is located outside the air volume setting scale 40 and is displayed at a position where they do not overlap each other.
Specifically, the air volume setting scale 40 is located closer to the air outlet 14 than the dial 30. When the dial 30 is picked up by the fingertip of the operator and rotated clockwise in the figure, the air volume increases. Is displayed. The rotation amount of the dial 30 is detected by a rotary switch (first movement amount detection means) 32 described later. The switch 32 is installed on the sheet member and is electrically connected to a control unit (control means) 70 via a wiring board.

  On the other hand, the temperature setting scale 38 is located on the outlet 14 side of the air volume setting scale 40 and on the slot side of the audio device above the dial 30, and the dial 30 is picked by the fingertip of the operator. When the dial 30 is tilted upward, the temperature is increased, and when the dial 30 is tilted downward, the temperature is decreased.

That is, the knob 26 of this embodiment is configured to be rotatable and configured to be tiltable.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the coupling described above is composed of a ball formed at the lower end of the connecting shaft and a cap formed at the upper end of the rotating shaft. Accept.

The ball includes, for example, arm portions extending radially from the axis of the connecting shaft, and a plurality of these arm portions are arranged at equal angles. On the other hand, the cap is configured as a universal shaft joint. For example, a concave surface portion that receives a ball is formed on the inner side, and a restriction portion that restricts the tilting amount of the connecting shaft is formed on the upper side.
Furthermore, a plurality of groove portions communicating with the concave surface portion are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap along the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and when the groove portions and the arm portions are engaged, the arm portions are The rotation of the connecting shaft, i.e., the dial 30, is transmitted to the cap, i.e., the rotating shaft, and the tilt of the dial 30 is allowed.

  Further, an annular projection (not shown) coaxial with the top surface 28 and the connecting shaft is formed on the opening end face of the knob 26, and the dial 30 of the knob 26 is upwardly moved as shown in FIG. When tilted toward the end, the protrusion comes into contact with a first detection switch (second movement amount detection means) 34 described later, and a temperature higher than the current temperature is set.

  On the other hand, when the dial 30 is tilted downward as shown in the figure, the above-described protrusion comes into contact with a second detection switch (second movement amount detection means) 36 described later, A temperature lower than this temperature is set. The first detection switch 34 and the second detection switch 36 are also installed on the sheet member and are electrically connected to the control unit 70.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation amount of the dial 30 is detected by the rotary switch 32, and the tilt amount of the dial 30 is detected by the first detection switch 34 and the second detection switch 36, Each is output toward the control unit 70.
The control unit 70 sets the air volume of the air conditioning device 80 based on the detection output from the rotary switch 32, and the device 80 based on the detection output from the first detection switch 34 and the second detection switch 36. The temperature is set.

Returning to FIG. 2 again, a mode button (balloon setting touch operation unit) 46 is provided on the left side of the knob 26 described above.
The mode button 46 of the present embodiment has a substantially plate shape and is configured to be pushed into the base 24. This button 46 can switch the air outlet in three directions, and in order from the top of the figure, a touch surface 48 for selecting air blowing to the ceiling of the passenger compartment and a touch surface for selecting air blowing to the upper body of the passenger 52 and a touch surface 56 for selecting air blowing to the floor of the passenger compartment are displayed.

In this embodiment, a defroster button 60 is provided on the right side of the knob 26.
The button 60 also has a substantially plate shape and can be pushed into the base 24. The button 60 can switch the target of the defroster in two directions. The touch surface 62 for selecting the defroster for the windshield 6 and the touch surface 64 for selecting the defroster for the rear glass are sequentially arranged from the top of the figure. It is displayed.

  When the touch surfaces 48, 52, and 56 of these mode buttons 46 are pushed by the operator's fingertips, the push amounts are detected by the push switches 50, 54, and 58 (FIG. 4). These switches 50, 54, and 58 are also installed on the sheet member and are electrically connected to the control unit 70. Similarly, the touch surfaces 62 and 64 of the defroster button 60 are also installed on the sheet member.

  When the touch surface 48 is pushed in, the control unit 70 switches the outlet of the device 80 to the foot based on the detection output from the switch 50, so that the ceiling from the outlet placed at the foot of the driver's seat or the front passenger seat. Air is sent out toward Further, when the touch surface 52 is pushed in, the air outlet of the device 80 is switched to the air outlet 14 described above based on the detection output from the switch 54, and air is directed toward the upper body of the driver seat or passenger seat passenger. Send it out.

Further, when the touch surface 56 is pushed in, the air outlet of the device 80 is switched upward based on the detection output from the switch 58, and air is sent out toward the floor.
Furthermore, when the touch surface 62 is pushed in, air is sent out toward the windshield 6, and when the touch surface 64 is pushed in, air is sent out towards the rear glass.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the dial 30 tilts in the vertical direction, the amount of tilt of the dial 30 sets the temperature, and the amount of rotation sets the air volume, but the dial 30 tilts in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the amount of tilt of the dial 30 may set the air volume, and the amount of rotation may set the temperature.
Specifically, the knob 26A shown in FIG. 5 is also configured so that the dial 30 can be rotated and tilted, as in the above-described embodiment. Tilt in the direction.

More specifically, the temperature setting scale 38A and the air volume setting scale 40A of the present embodiment are displayed in positions that do not overlap each other in the opposite manner to the above embodiment, and the amount of rotation of the dial 30 is Based on this, the temperature of the device 80 is set, and the air volume of the device 80 is set based on the tilt amount.
That is, when the dial 30 is picked by the fingertip and rotated clockwise in the figure, the temperature becomes high. On the other hand, when the dial 30 is picked by the fingertip and tilted toward the left in the figure, the air volume is increased. It will increase.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation device 20 of the air conditioning device 80 has the rotation tilt knob 26 (26A), and the knob 26 (26A) is used for setting the temperature and the air volume in the passenger compartment. Is picked by the operator's fingertips.
Here, the knob 26 (26A) is configured such that the knob 26 (26A) itself can rotate and tilt, and the rotating part and the tilting part are not configured separately.

The rotation amount of the knob 26 (26A) is detected by the rotary switch 32, and the tilt amount of the knob 26 (26A) is detected by the first detection switch 34 and the second detection switch 36. The temperature and air volume are set based on the detection output from each switch 32, 34, 36.
As a result, when both the temperature and the air volume are set, the knob 26 (26A) can be tilted while the knob 26 (26A) is held by the fingertip and rotated. In other words, the thumb and the index finger can be set by touching the next seesaw portion continuously without releasing the thumb and index finger once picking the dial portion for setting.

As a result, the operator can quickly set the temperature and the air volume as compared with the conventional case in which the dial portion is picked and rotated by the fingertip and then the finger is separated from the dial portion and touched the seesaw portion. Moreover, it is not necessary for the operator's eyes to continue to face the operation device 20 as compared with the conventional case.
Further, in the air conditioning device 80, the above-described temperature and air volume are the same concept set in a magnitude relationship. Therefore, if the temperature and air volume of these same concepts are collected in one knob 26 (26A), the operation of the temperature and air volume can be easily understood and the operation device 20 can be miniaturized.

  Further, the switching of the air outlet is a concept that is not set in the magnitude relationship, unlike the above-described temperature and air volume. Therefore, the blowing port is switched by pressing the mode button 46 with the fingertip of the operator. In this way, if the operation parts having different concepts are configured separately, there is no hesitation in the operation by the operator.

Further, the temperature setting scale 38 (38A) and the air volume setting scale 40 (40A) are displayed at positions where they do not overlap with each other along the outer periphery of the knob 26 (26A). It becomes easier to understand.
Furthermore, if the operation device 20 described above is mounted on the air conditioning apparatus 80 for a vehicle, the operator's viewpoint does not have to keep grasping the device 20 for a long time. Therefore, when the driver of the vehicle sets the temperature and the air volume, it is easy to concentrate on driving and safe driving can be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, a part of each configuration of each of the above embodiments can be omitted or arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the above.
In each of the above embodiments, the dial 30 is configured to be tiltable. However, the dial 30 is not necessarily limited to this form, and may be configured to be slidable in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. In this case, the first detection switch 34 and the second detection switch 36 detect the parallel movement amount of the dial 30.

Furthermore, in the said Example, the example embodied in the vehicle air conditioner is shown. However, the air conditioner of the present invention can be applied to an air conditioner for a living space such as a house in addition to the passenger compartment.
Also in this case, as described above, there is an effect that the temperature and the air volume can be set quickly.

It is the figure which provided the operating device of the present Example in the vehicle. It is a front view of the operating device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the tilting operation by the rotation tilting knob of FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram related to the operation device of FIG. 2. It is a front view of the rotation tilting knob in another Example.

Explanation of symbols

14 Outlet 20 Operation device (operation device)
26, 26A Rotation tilt knob (pick operation unit)
32 Rotary switch (first movement detection means)
34 1st detection switch (2nd moving amount detection means)
36 2nd detection switch (2nd movement amount detection means)
38,38A Temperature setting scale (scale)
40, 40A Airflow setting scale (scale)
46 Mode button (touch operation part)
70 Control unit (control means)
80 Air conditioning equipment (air conditioning equipment)

Claims (4)

An air conditioner operating device for setting the temperature and air volume of a predetermined space,
A knob operation unit that is picked and operated by the fingertip of the operator;
First movement amount detection means for detecting a rotation amount of the knob operation unit;
A second movement amount detecting means for detecting a tilting amount or a parallel movement amount of the knob operation unit;
Either the temperature or the air volume is set based on the detection output from the first movement amount detection means, and the temperature or the air volume is set based on the detection output from the second movement amount detection means. An operating device comprising a control means for setting one of the other. The operating device according to claim 1,
The operating device is:
An operation device, wherein a plurality of touch operation units for setting a blowout port are disposed around the knob operation unit. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2,
The operating device is
The temperature scale and the air volume scale are respectively provided along the outer periphery of the projection surface of the knob operation unit,
The temperature scale and the air volume scale are displayed at positions that do not overlap each other. A vehicle air conditioner equipped with the operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images