JP2009255772A - Automobile manual input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automobile manual input device which has a configuration of switching moving functions of in-vehicle equipment by moving and holding a dial itself at a plurality of positions, and can improve operability. <P>SOLUTION: The automobile manual input device comprises: a dial which is moved by a moving/holding mechanism and held at predetermined positions, and achieves rotating operation; a position detection means for detecting a holding position of the dial; and a rotation amount conversion means for converting the rotation amount of the dial into electric signals. The type of function previously determined is derived from the holding position of the dial detected by the position detection means. Based on an output signal from the rotation amount conversion means, a control system with respect to the derived function is determined to execute the function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is configured to switch the operation function of the on-vehicle equipment by moving and holding the dial itself at a predetermined position, and with the simplification of the configuration, space can be saved and operability can be improved. The present invention relates to an automobile manual input device.

Conventionally, various electrical equipments mounted on automobiles are operated by an instrument panel in the vicinity of the steering wheel or operation means provided in the vicinity of the console to display a switching operation mode or output an operation command to perform a desired operation. I went.
Since these operations are performed prior to or in between driving operations, it is desirable that the operations be as simple as possible with as few steps as possible.

As such an operation means, for example, there is a triple dial heater control as shown in Patent Document 1.
In this triple dial heater control, three dials that can be operated continuously and are easily controlled by a lever are used. Each dial is provided with a function for controlling temperature, mode (switching of the wind outlet), and blower (switching of the strength of the blowing wind).

JP-A-9-132025

  Patent Document 2 describes a heater control in which the temperature, mode (switching of the wind outlet), and blower (switching of the intensity of the blowing wind) are switched by three push buttons and controlled by one dial operation. ing.

JP 2005-81906 A

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an in-vehicle manual input device that controls various functions in combination with a display. In this device, the entire dial is moved left and right to switch modes, and the dial is turned for control.

JP 2002-149324 A

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since there are three dials, a function for selecting a dial is necessary as compared with a configuration with only one dial, so that visibility and operability during driving are inferior. . In addition, when dials of an appropriate size are arranged in a limited vehicle space, some dials are arranged at positions that are difficult to operate.
On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, although the operability is improved by using one dial, on the contrary, the push button must be pressed to switch the function, and the push button is pressed and the dial is turned. Two systems of operation are required. This is very complicated and has problems in terms of visibility, operability, and safe driving.
Furthermore, in patent document 3, when a knob returns to a fixed position, there exist the following problems.
For example, since the air flow rate, the air outlet mode, and the temperature that are frequently selected and operated differ depending on the person, the person who frequently uses other than the fixed position must slide the dial each time.
The present invention has been proposed to improve the above inconveniences, and is configured to switch the operation function of the on-vehicle equipment by moving and holding the dial itself at a plurality of positions. An object of the present invention is to provide a manual input device for automobiles that can be simplified, save space, and improve operability.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an automotive manual input device for operating an in-vehicle electrical device by giving an operation command to the in-vehicle electrical device, and is provided by a moving holding mechanism. A single dial that can be moved and held by being moved to a plurality of positions and that can be rotated, position detection means for detecting the holding position of the dial, and a rotation amount conversion that converts the rotation amount of the dial into an electrical signal And a predetermined function type is derived from the dial holding position detected by the position detection means, and a control system for the derived function is determined based on an output signal from the rotation amount conversion means. And a control unit to be executed.

Thus, by moving the dial, the dial can be held by being moved to a plurality of positions by the movement holding mechanism.
At that time, a predetermined function type is derived from the dial holding position detected by the position detection means, and a control system for the derived function is determined based on the output signal from the rotation amount conversion means. Can be executed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the moving and holding mechanism includes an oscillating body that is slidably mounted around the base end portion in the housing, and a moderation mechanism disposed on the oscillating body. It is characterized by.

  Thus, by moving the dial to a desired position, the swinging body swings around the base end, and at that position, the dial is held at that position by holding the swinging body by the moderation mechanism. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that there are two or more holding positions of the dial, and a display section for displaying the selected function is provided at the holding position of the dial.

  The function is switched and displayed by moving the dial. For this reason, operation parts other than the dial knob become unnecessary.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the dial stop position and the display are set to be associated with each other.

  Thus, the operator can easily become familiar with the operation and can concentrate on driving accordingly.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the dial and the display unit are arranged separately.

  Thereby, a dial can be installed in the place where it is easy to operate manually, and installation flexibility increases further.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a manual input device for an automobile according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments.

1 and 2 show an automobile manual input device 1 according to the present invention.
The automotive manual input device 1 is for operating an in-vehicle electrical device by giving an operation command to the in-vehicle electrical device, and is provided, for example, in an instrument panel near a steering wheel in a driver's seat. This is because the driver can reach out and operate easily even while driving.
That is, the manual input device 1 for an automobile has a dial 4 that is an operating means provided so as to be moved within a predetermined range by a movement holding mechanism 3 disposed in a housing 2 and held at a predetermined position. . As will be described later, the dial 4 is provided on the upper surface of the panel 5 on the surface of the housing 2 via an operation shaft (described later).
The housing 2 includes a position detection means 6 for detecting the holding position of the dial 4 and a rotation amount conversion means 7 for converting the rotation amount of the dial 4 into an electric signal (see FIG. 2). In this case, the rotation amount conversion means 7 is provided coaxially with the dial 4. However, when a non-contact switch is used instead of the rotation amount conversion means 7, the rotation amount conversion means 7 may not be coaxial if the rotation of the dial can be detected. .

  The housing 2 has a dial 4 positioned at a substantially central position on the front panel 5, and displays a holding position of the dial 4 on the upper side of the dial 4 in the figure, and a display unit 8 for displaying each function. Is arranged. At the center of the panel 5, an operation shaft (described later) for supporting the dial 4 is inserted, and an insertion port (described later) for allowing the dial 4 to move within a predetermined range is formed.

Next, the movement holding mechanism 3 that movably supports the dial 4 in the housing 2 will be described.
In the housing 2, the movable holding mechanism 3 is attached to a boss 9 which is planted so as to be orthogonal to the panel 5 on the surface of the housing 2 so that the base end portion can swing around the axis of the boss 9. Further, a plate 10 that is a rocking body and a known moderation mechanism 11 disposed in the vicinity of the boss 9 are provided. A dial 4 is attached to the front end side of the plate 10 via an operation shaft 12. The operation shaft 12 protrudes from the upper surface of the panel through a slot-like insertion port 13 formed in the panel 5. With this mechanism, the dial 4 can be rocked moderately by the moderation mechanism 11 within a predetermined range on the panel 5 on the surface of the housing 2.
Although the moderation mechanism 11 is not described in detail, for example, a ball and a coil spring can be used, and the dial 4 is moved within a predetermined range or held at a predetermined position (center position, left and right position). It has a function.

  The position detection means 6 is mounted in the vicinity of the moderation mechanism 11 of the plate 10. As the position detection means 6, a known device such as a photosensor can be used.

  The rotation amount converting means 7 is a rotary encoder and is coaxially attached to the operation shaft 12 of the dial 4 attached to the tip end side of the plate 10.

Next, the display unit 8 located on the upper side of the dial 4 of the panel 5 on the surface of the housing 2 has, for example, functions as a temperature display unit T, a left side in the figure with a blower B, and a right side with a mode display unit M. Symbol symbols and numbers (7-segment display) are configured by known display means (liquid crystal, LED, etc.).
The dial 4 is moved and held by the moderation mechanism 11 of the plate 10 at the position of each display unit.

  In the automotive manual input device 1 having the above-described configuration, the position detecting means 6 mounted in the vicinity of the moderation mechanism 11 of the plate 10 and the operation shaft 12 of the dial 4 attached to the front end side of the plate 10 are coaxial. The mounted rotary encoder 7 and the display unit 8 of the front panel 5 of the housing 2 receive each signal, perform signal processing, make various determinations, and are electrically connected to a control unit 14 that issues a control command. ing.

Next, the operation of the automobile manual input device 1 will be described.
Initially, in the manual input device 1 for an automobile, the dial 4 is held at the center of the panel 5 on the surface of the housing 2, that is, at the position of the temperature display portion T of the display portion 8. 11 is detected by the position detection means 6 mounted in the vicinity, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 14.
A pulse signal is sent from the rotary encoder 7 to the control unit 14, and it is recognized that the dial 4 is held at the position of the temperature display unit T of the display unit 8 by the position detection unit 6. Then, the control unit 14 determines that the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 7 is a temperature control signal. Therefore, when the dial 4 is rotated, the rotary encoder 7 is rotated, the temperature control signal is adjusted, and temperature control is possible.
The degree of temperature adjustment by rotating the dial 4 is displayed on the temperature display part T of the display part 8, so that it can be easily confirmed.

Next, when switching such a function to the blower, the dial 4 is held and moved to the left in the figure. As a result, the holding state by the moderation mechanism 11 that holds the dial 4 at the center is released, the plate 10 moves to the left, and the plate 10 can be held by the moderation mechanism 11 again at the left holding position.
In this state, when a detection signal is sent from the position detection means 6 to the control unit 14, the control unit 14 determines the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 7 as a blower control signal, and operates the dial 4 to rotate. As a result, the rotary encoder 7 rotates, the blower control signal is adjusted, and the blower output can be controlled.
Also in the output adjustment of the blower, since the degree of adjustment is displayed on the blower B (indicator) of the display unit 8, the adjustment operation can be made more reliable.

Further, when switching the operation mode of the blower, the dial 4 is held and moved to the right in the figure. As a result, the plate 10 moves to the right, and the moderation mechanism 11 can hold the plate 10 at the right holding position.
In this state, when a detection signal is sent from the position detection means 6 to the control unit 14, the control unit 14 determines the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 7 as a mode switching signal.
Since the current operation mode of the blower (the blower blowing direction) is displayed in this state on the mode display unit M, the operation mode of the blower can be switched by rotating the dial 4.

  As described above, in the automobile manual input device 1, there is only one dial 4 and the amount of movement operation is less than the diameter of the dial 4 as shown in FIG. 1, so that space saving can be realized. It is not possible to place it at a position where it is difficult to operate as in the conventional triple dial system.

  Further, the position of the dial 4 can be easily grasped and confirmed visually by the display unit 8. In addition, since the operation only involves moving the dial 4 to the position to be operated and rotating it, there are two systems such as push operation and rotation operation with different operation means as before. No operation is required.

  In any case, the above-described manual input device 1 for an automobile is only configured to be controlled by sending and receiving signals from the position detecting means 6, the rotary encoder 7, and the display unit 8, and to move and hold one dial 4. Therefore, the configuration can be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the automobile manual input device 1 described above.
That is, as a configuration for moving and holding the dial 4, a slide mechanism can be used instead of the link mechanism using the plate 10.
Moreover, the moving direction of the dial 4 is appropriate according to the mounting position on the vehicle (for example, vertical, diagonal, etc.).

  The moving position of the dial 4 and the display are correlated, and the setting position can be clearly confirmed. However, the moving distance of the dial 4 is further reduced, and an indicator or display showing the functional state of the dial is displayed. You may make changes to it. For example, as a display means, a method of changing by brightness, color, blinking, etc. can be considered.

Further, the display unit 8 and the dial 4 are not necessarily provided integrally with the housing 2.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the dial 4 has a center console C.D. C. It is possible to arrange the display unit 8 on the instrument panel Ip.

Furthermore, the automotive manual input device 1 of the present invention can be applied not only to temperature control but also to other in-vehicle electrical equipment that requires other switching operations.
For example, when a dial is pushed, a switch that is turned on is attached, so that the switch can be selected by rotating the dial and determined by a push operation.
That is, with the push function, (1) the position of the dial itself, (2) the rotation position, and (3) the push function can be used to operate the three-stage selection with one dial.

It is a typical composition side view showing one embodiment of a manual input device for vehicles concerning the present invention. It is typical front explanatory drawing shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the electric system of the manual input device for motor vehicles shown in FIG. It is perspective explanatory drawing which shows another embodiment of the manual input device for motor vehicles concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manual input device for motor vehicles 2 Housing 3 Movement holding mechanism 4 Dial 5 Panel 6 Position detection means 7 Rotary encoder 8 Display part 9 Boss 10 Plate 11 Moderation mechanism 12 Operation shaft 13 Insertion port 14 Control part T Temperature display part B Blower M mode Display unit C.I. C. Center console IP instrument panel

Claims (5)

A manual input device for an automobile for operating an in-vehicle electrical device by giving an operation command to the in-vehicle electrical device,
A single dial that can be moved and held by a movable holding mechanism and can be rotated; and
Position detecting means for detecting a holding position of the dial;
A rotation amount converting means for converting the rotation amount of the dial into an electrical signal;
A predetermined function type is derived from the dial holding position detected by the position detection means, and a control system for the derived function is determined based on an output signal from the rotation amount conversion means. A control unit for executing
A manual input device for an automobile, comprising:   2. The movable holding mechanism includes an oscillating body that is slidably mounted around a base end portion in a housing, and a moderation mechanism disposed on the oscillating body. The manual input device for automobiles as described. The dial has two or more holding positions,
The automobile manual input device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a selected function at a holding position of the dial.   4. The manual input device for an automobile according to claim 3, wherein the dial holding position and the display on the display unit are set to be associated with each other.   The automobile manual input device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the dial and the display unit are arranged separately.

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