JP2011060724A - On-vehicle equipment operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle equipment operating device capable of operating smoothly without checking the operating unit every time it makes operation. <P>SOLUTION: The on-vehicle equipment operating device supports an operating knob 1 so that the operating knob 1 operated by a user may rotate within a prescribed angle, slide in a direction to cross the rotating shaft X at right angles, tilt to the rotating shaft X, and be pressed along the rotating shaft X. Further, the device detects that the operating knob 1 is turned, slides, is tilted or pressed, and outputs a signal concerning the on-vehicle equipment according to the detection result. Furthermore, the device returns the operating knob 1 to the condition before the turning, sliding, tilting, or pressing when the operating knob 1 is turned, slides, is tilted, or is pressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device operation apparatus that outputs a signal related to a vehicle-mounted device in accordance with movement of an operating body that can move in a plurality of directions.

  2. Description of the Related Art A number of in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner), an audio device, and a car navigation device are mounted on recent vehicles. An operation switch for operating an in-vehicle device is generally installed at a position where an occupant of an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel) can easily operate. For this reason, since the number of operation switches increases as the number of in-vehicle devices increases, it is necessary to secure an installation space for the operation switches in the instrument panel. In order to reduce the number of operation switches, a so-called composite switch capable of a plurality of input operations has been proposed. For example, the input device described in Patent Literature 1 can perform a rotation operation for rotating a knob operated by a user, a pressing operation for pressing the knob, and a tilting operation for tilting the knob.

JP 2004-14158 A

  In the input device described in Patent Document 1, the knob operated by the user has a cylindrical shape. For this reason, when the rotation operation of the knob is performed, the user may not know how much the knob is rotated. For this reason, when the user removes his / her hand from the knob and tries to operate it again, the user needs to check the state of the knob with his / her eyes or hands, and may not be able to operate smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device operation device that enables smooth operation without checking an operation tool every time it is operated. .

  An in-vehicle device operating device according to the present invention supports an operating body in an in-vehicle device operating device that outputs a signal related to an in-vehicle device in response to movement of an operating body that can move in a plurality of directions. Means for enabling rotation within a predetermined angle range, means for enabling sliding in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, means for enabling tilting with respect to the rotation axis, and means for enabling pressing in the direction of the rotation axis A support portion having at least two of the above, a means for returning the operation body that has been rotated, slid, tilted or pressed to a state before rotation, before sliding, before tilting or before pressing; and Detection means for detecting rotation, sliding, tilting or pressing, and output means for outputting a signal corresponding to the detection result when rotation, sliding, tilting or pressing of the operating body is detected. It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, the operating body that has been rotated, slid, tilted or pressed returns to the state before the rotation, before sliding, before tilting or before pressing. There is no need to check the state of the operating body every time it is operated. Thereby, the user can start operation smoothly and can shorten operation time. Further, when the driver operates, it is possible to prevent an accident caused by a side driving while driving.

  The in-vehicle device operation apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the output means outputs a signal for switching an operation target when the operation body is pressed.

  In the present invention, since the operation target can be switched by pressing the operating body, the user can continue the other operation without changing the operating body picked for the pressing operation. Can do.

  In the in-vehicle device operating device according to the present invention, the operating body has a flat portion and a knob portion that is convex with respect to the flat portion, and the knob portion has two parallel side surfaces, The dimension in the parallel direction of the two side surfaces is longer than the dimension between the side surfaces.

  In the present invention, the knob portion of the operation body has a shape in which the side surface in the parallel direction is longer than the dimension between the side surfaces, so that the user can easily grip the side surface of the knob portion with a finger.

  The on-vehicle device operation device according to the present invention is characterized in that the support portion supports the operation body such that a longitudinal direction of the knob is at the center of a rotation angle range.

  In the present invention, the user can perform a turning operation by picking the side surface of the knob with a finger and rotating the knob in the forward and reverse directions. Thereby, the burden concerning a user's wrist at the time of rotation operation can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle device operation device according to the present invention is characterized in that the support portion supports the operation body so that the longitudinal direction is inclined.

  In the present invention, since the operating body can be tilted in the longitudinal direction, the user can perform the tilting operation without changing the operating body picked for the rotating operation.

  The in-vehicle device operation device according to the present invention is characterized in that the support portion supports the operation body such that a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a sliding direction.

  In the present invention, since the operating body is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the user can perform the sliding operation without changing the operating body picked for the rotating operation. It can be carried out.

  The in-vehicle device operating device according to the present invention further includes means for prohibiting the operating body from simultaneously rotating, sliding and tilting.

  In the present invention, since the operating body cannot be simultaneously rotated, slid and tilted, erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In the present invention, since the operating body that has been rotated, slid, tilted or pressed returns to the state before the rotation, before sliding, before tilting or before pressing, the user operates the operating body. It is no longer necessary to check the state of the operating body each time it is performed. Thereby, the user can start operation smoothly and can shorten operation time. Further, when the driver operates, it is possible to prevent an accident caused by a side driving while driving.

It is a three-plane figure which shows the structure of the operation knob of the operating device which concerns on embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the operating device which concerns on embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the operating device which concerns on embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the operating device which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the upper surface of a printed circuit board. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the convex part of a dial, and an optical sensor. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of a holder when an operation knob tilts. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the seesaw when an operation knob slides. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a dial, a rotation guide, and a self return. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation screen operated with an operating device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation screen at the time of switching an operation target.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an in-vehicle device operating device according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a three-view diagram illustrating the configuration of the operation knob of the operation device according to the present embodiment. The operating device according to the present embodiment can operate a plurality of in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner and an audio mounted on the vehicle. The operation device includes an operation knob (operation body) 1 operated by a user. The operation knob 1 is a rectangular plate member (planar portion) 1a whose both ends in the longitudinal direction are R-shaped, and a substantially vertical standing plate member 1a with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the plate member 1a. A rectangular parallelepiped knob 1b and a support 1c provided on the surface of the plate member 1a opposite to the knob 1b are provided. In the operation knob 1, the support portion 1 c is supported inside the exterior portion 100 so that the plate member 1 a is substantially parallel to the exterior portion 100. The exterior portion 100 is a position where the user can easily operate, for example, a center cluster or an instrument panel between a driver seat and a passenger seat.

  The operation knob 1 can be rotated about 30 degrees in the forward and reverse directions with the rotation axis X as the center in the longitudinal direction of the knob 1b and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the width direction). ing. The operation knob 1 is slidable in the width direction of the knob 1b. Further, the operation knob 1 can be tilted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rotation axis X by pressing both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the knob portion 1b (triangular mark portions of the knob portion 1b in the drawing) toward the exterior portion 100 side. It has become. Moreover, the operation knob 1 can press the center part of the knob | pick part 1b to the installation surface side. In the following description, the operation for rotating the operation knob 1 is the rotation operation, the operation for sliding the operation knob 1 is the sliding operation, the operation for tilting the operation knob 1 is the tilting operation, and the operation for pressing the central portion of the knob 1b. Is called a pressing operation.

  Note that when the operation knob 1 rotates about 30 degrees forward and backward about the longitudinal direction, the operation device can be used by the user who operates the operation knob 1 when the rotation angle of the operation knob 1 reaches 15 degrees. A so-called “click feeling” is transmitted. That is, the operating device can perform a rotating operation divided into two stages.

  Further, the operation knob 1 is provided with pins 1d and 1d on the surface of the plate member 1a on the exterior portion 100 side. Cutouts (not shown) are formed in the exterior portion 100 at positions facing the pins 1d and 1d of the operation knob 1 in a state where each operation is not performed. When the operation knob 1 is tilted or pressed, the pins 1d and 1d move to the exterior portion 100 side and engage with the notches. When the pins 1d and 1d are engaged with the notches, the operation knob 1 cannot be rotated and slid. Further, when the operation knob 1 is rotated or slid, the positions of the pins 1d and 1d and the notch are shifted, and when the operation knob 1 is tilted or pressed, the pins 1d and 1d contact the exterior portion 100. Will come to do. For this reason, the operation knob 1 cannot move to the exterior part 100 side. That is, in the operating device according to the present embodiment, the tilting operation or pressing operation of the operation knob 1 and the rotating operation or sliding operation cannot be performed simultaneously.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the operating device will be described. 2 and 3 are side sectional views of the operating device according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device according to the present embodiment.

  The operating device includes a support case 8. The support case 8 has a substantially hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a printed circuit board 9 is provided in one opening, and a panel 3 is provided in the other opening. The support case 8 is arranged inside the exterior part 100 so that the panel 3 forms a part of the exterior part 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the operation knob 1 is protruded from the panel 3. I support it. In the following description, the opening side where the panel 3 is provided (upward direction in FIGS. 2 and 3) is the upper side, and the opening side where the printed circuit board 9 is provided (downward direction in FIGS. 2 and 3) is the lower side. The side will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the upper surface of the printed circuit board 9. The printed circuit board 9 has substantially the same rectangular shape as the opening of the support case 8, and on the upper surface, switch elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e that can be switched by pressing such as a tact switch, and photo Optical sensors 11a and 11b such as interrupters are provided. The switch elements 10a, 10b, and 10c are provided along the direction (hereinafter referred to as the front-rear direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at the approximate center in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the left-right direction) of the printed circuit board 9. The switch elements 10d and 10e are provided so as to be symmetric with respect to a line passing through the switch elements 10a, 10b, and 10c (hereinafter referred to as a center line) at the approximate center in the front-rear direction.

  The optical sensors 11a and 11b have a path with a U-shaped cross section, and detect an object located on the path. The optical sensor 11a is provided between the switch elements 10a and 10b, and the optical sensor 11b is provided between the switch elements 10b and 10c. Each of the optical sensors 11a and 11b is provided so as to be shifted from the center line toward the switch element 10d and the U-shaped path is along the left-right direction. In the following description, in the left-right direction, the switch element 10d side (left direction in FIGS. 3 and 5) is the left direction, and the switch element 10e side (right direction in FIGS. 3 and 5) is the right direction. Further, in the front-rear direction, the switch element 10a side (the right direction in FIG. 2) is the front direction, and the switch element 10c side (the left direction in FIG. 2) is the rear direction.

  The panel 3 has the same rectangular shape as the opening of the support case 8, and a hole 3a is formed at the center. The panel 3 is formed with a notch 3b that is recessed outward from the wall surface of the hole 3a in the radial direction. The notches 3b and 3b are opposed in the front-rear direction. The support portion 1c of the operation knob 1 described above is inserted into the hole 3a, and the support portion 1c is supported on the lower side of the panel 3. The pins 1d and 1d of the operation knob 1 are engaged with the notches 3b and 3b.

  The support case 8 is provided with a plate-like bottom member 81 in the vicinity of the lower opening so as to face the printed circuit board 9. The bottom member 81 is provided with cylindrical pin guides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e at positions where they overlap with the switch elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e provided on the printed circuit board 9. Pins 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e are slidably inserted into the pin guides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e. The pins 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e are placed on the push switches 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e, and the upper ends protrude from the pin guides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e. . The pins 9a, 9b, 9c are longer than the pins 9d, 9e.

  The plate member 81 is formed with a cylindrical rotation guide 8f coaxial with the pin guide 8b and having the pin guide 8b positioned on the inner side. The rotation guide 8f supports the bottomed cylindrical dial 2 having a larger diameter than the rotation guide 8f. The dial 2 is covered with the rotation guide 8f with the opening portion on the lower side so that the bottom surface is placed on the upper end of the pin 9b inserted into the pin guide 8b. At this time, the center axis of the dial 2 coincides with the center axis of the rotation guide 8f, that is, the pin 9b. Thereby, the dial 2 can rotate forward and backward in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the rotation guide 8f about the pin 9b as a rotation axis. Further, since the pin 9b is placed on the switch element 10b, the dial 2 can move downward along the axial direction by the distance that the pin 9b pushes down the switch element 10b. When the switch element 10b is pressed, the downward movement of the dial 2 is detected.

  In the dial 2, an insertion hole 2a into which a cylindrical pin 2b can be slidably inserted is formed in the center of the bottom surface along the radial direction. The insertion hole 2 a is formed so that the central axis is orthogonal to the central axis of the dial 2. The dial 2 is provided with a pair of convex portions 2c and 2c that protrude in the axial direction from the edge of the opening and face each other via the central axis. The insertion hole 2a and the protrusions 2c and 2c are in a relationship in which the protrusions 2c and 2c face each other along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the insertion hole 2a.

  When the dial 2 is put on the rotation guide 8f, the projecting portions 2c and 2c protrude below the bottom member 81 through notch grooves (not shown) formed in the bottom member 81. The notch groove has an arc shape, and the dial 2 is rotatable within a range in which the convex portions 2c, 2c can move along the notch groove. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 2c and 2c projecting downward from the bottom member 81 are positioned on the path of the optical sensors 11a and 11b. From this state, the dial 2 is approximately 30 degrees forward and backward. It can be rotated. In addition, when the convex parts 2c and 2c are located on the path | route of the optical sensors 11a and 11b, as shown in FIG. 3, the axial direction of the insertion hole 2a will correspond with the left-right direction.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the convex portions 2c and 2c of the dial 2 and the optical sensors 11a and 11b. The optical sensors 11 a and 11 b are arranged so as to be shifted to the left side from the center line of the printed circuit board 9. The dial 2 rotates around the pin 9b placed on the switch element 10b on the center line as a rotation axis. For this reason, when the convex portions 2c and 2c of the dial 2 are positioned on the center line, as shown in FIG. 6A, the convex portions 2c and 2c are partly positioned on the path of the optical sensors 11a and 11b. It is supposed to be. When the dial 2 is rotated 15 degrees to the right from the center line, as shown in FIG. 6B, one of the convex portions 2c and 2c moves to the right from the center line, and the other moves to the left. The convex portion 2c that moves to the right side deviates from the path of the optical sensor 11a, and the convex portion 2c that moves to the left side does not deviate from the path of the optical sensor 11b. When the dial 2 is further rotated 15 degrees to the right side, as shown in FIG. 6C, the convex portion 2c that moves to the left side is also removed from the path of the optical sensor 11b. As described above, when the optical sensors 11a and 11b detect one of the convex portions 2c and 2c, it is possible to detect that the dial 2 is rotated by 15 degrees. Further, since the optical sensors 11a and 11b do not detect both the convex portions 2c and 2c, it is possible to detect that the dial 2 is rotated by 30 degrees. When the dial 2 rotates to the left, the description of the optical sensors 11a and 11b described above is reversed.

  The dial 2 supports the operation knob 1 on the bottom side. As described above, the operation knob 1 is formed of the plate member 1a, the knob 1b, the support 1c, and the pins 1d and 1d. The support portion 1c has a cylindrical shape and is provided on the surface of the plate member 1a opposite to the knob portion 1b so that the central axis coincides with the rotation axis X. The pins 1d and 1d are provided along the longitudinal direction at a connection portion between the plate member 1a and the support portion 1c so as to face each other with the rotation axis X therebetween. Holes 1e and 1e that are opposed to each other with the rotation axis X and whose center axis coincides with the width direction are formed on the side surface of the support portion 1c. Both ends of a pin 2b inserted into the insertion hole 2a of the dial 2 are engaged with the holes 1e and 1e.

  The operation knob 1 is supported by the dial 2 by engaging both ends of the pin 2b with the holes 1e and 1e on the lower side of the panel 3. Thereby, the operation knob 1 can rotate forward and backward along the circumferential direction of the rotation guide 8f via the dial 2, and can move downward along the axial direction of the rotation guide 8f. As described above, by detecting the downward movement of the dial 2 by the switch element 10b, the downward movement of the operation knob 1, that is, the pressing operation of the operation knob 1 can be detected. Further, by detecting the rotation of the dial 2 by the optical sensors 11a and 11b, the rotation of the operation knob 1, that is, the rotation operation of the operation knob 1 can be detected. Further, since the pin 2b is slidable with respect to the insertion hole 2a, the operation knob 1 is slidable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rotation axis X around the pin 2b, and the axial direction of the pin 2b, That is, it can slide in the width direction.

  Since the pin 2b is orthogonal to the center axis of the dial 2 and the rotation axis X of the operation knob 1, the rotation axis X coincides with the center axis of the dial 2 by tilting and sliding the operation knob 1. Can be made. In the following description, the state of the operation knob 1 and the dial 2 in which the axial direction of the pin 2b coincides with the left-right direction and the rotation axis X of the operation knob 1 coincides with the center axis of the dial 2 is referred to as an initial state. . In the initial state, the longitudinal direction of the operation knob 1 is the front-rear direction, and the width direction is the left-right direction. In the initial state, the pins 1d and 1d of the operation knob 1 are opposed to the notches 3b and 3b of the panel 3.

  A holder 4 is provided on the operation knob 1 supported by the dial 2. The holder 4 is a substantially square plate member, and a hole 4a is formed in the center. The holder 4 supports the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 1 c with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 4 a so that the panel 3 is interposed between the plate member 1 a of the operation knob 1 and tilts or slides together with the operation knob 1. It has become.

  The slider 5 supports the holder 4 so as to be tiltable about the pin 2b. The slider 5 has a bottom surface and two opposing side surfaces, and a hole 5a for positioning the dial 2 is formed in the center of the bottom surface. The slider 5 is arranged so that two side surfaces face each other in the left-right direction so that both side surface portions in the front-rear direction swing in the up-down direction, and both side surfaces of the holder 4 in the left-right direction are sandwiched by the two side surfaces. Further, the upper ends of the pins 9a and 9c are brought into contact with the swinging side surface portions.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the holder 4 when the operation knob 1 is tilted. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the operation knob 1 is tilted forward in the front-rear direction. When the operation knob 1 is tilted forward about the pin 2b, the holder 4 is also tilted forward. At this time, the side surface portion of the holder 4 in the tilting direction of the operation knob 1 moves downward, the pin 9a is pushed down, and the switch element 10a is pressed. Thereby, it is possible to detect the tilt of the holder 4, that is, the fact that the operation knob 1 is tilted forward. In addition, when the pin 9a pushed down is pushed up by the switch element 10a, the side part of the holder 4 moved downward returns to the original position. Thereby, the operation knob 1 returns to the initial state before the tilting operation.

  Further, since the pin 1d in the tilting direction of the operation knob 1 engages with the notch 3b, the operation knob 1 does not slide or rotate when tilted. Thereby, a plurality of operations can be prevented from being performed simultaneously.

  The seesaw 6 supports the slider 5 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction together with the holder 4. The seesaw 6 is formed of a bottom surface in which a hole 6a is formed at the center of a substantially square, two parallel side surfaces, and two side surfaces inclined outward from the bottom surface. The seesaw 6 is arranged such that two inclined side surfaces face each other in the left-right direction, and the two inclined side surfaces are supported by the support case 8 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. That is, the rocking shaft of the seesaw 6 is in the front-rear direction. The upper ends of the two inclined side surfaces are in contact with the upper ends of the pins 9d and 9e. The slider 5 that supports the holder 4 is placed on two inclined side surfaces of the seesaw 6.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the seesaw 6 when the operation knob 1 slides. FIG. 8 shows a state where the operation knob 1 is slid to the left in the left-right direction. When the operation knob 1 slides in the left-right direction, the holder 4 and the slider 5 also slide together. Since the seesaw 6 has two inclined side surfaces that can swing in the vertical direction, when the slider 5 slides in the left-right direction, the slider 5 slides while pushing down the side surface of the seesaw 6 in the sliding direction. Move. As a result, the pin 9d that is in contact with the pressed side surface is pressed down, and the switch element 10d is pressed. Thereby, sliding of the slider 5, ie, the operation knob 1, can be detected. Note that the pushed-down pin 9d is pushed up by the switch element 10d, so that the side portion of the seesaw 6 moved downward returns to the original position. As a result, the slider 5 is pushed back to the side surface portion of the seesaw 6, and the seesaw 6, that is, the operation knob 1, is returned to the initial state before the sliding operation.

  The dial 2 is provided with a self return 7. The self-return 7 returns the dial 2 to the initial state before the rotation when the dial 2 rotates forward and backward from the initial state. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the dial 2, the rotation guide 8 f, and the self return 7. FIG. 9 is also a part of a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. The dial 2 is provided with a convex portion 2d extending halfway in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface. The convex portion 2d is provided on the left side of the center line of the printed circuit board 9 when the dial 2 is in the initial state. The self-return 7 has a semicircular cutout 7a formed at one end of the plate. The cutout portion 7a of the self return 7 is adapted to fit to the outer peripheral surface on the side where the convex portion 2d is not provided. The self return 7 presses the dial 2 from the right side in the left-right direction to the left side by the springs 7b, 7b. In this state, when the dial 2 rotates forward and backward from the initial position, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9, the convex portion 2d comes into contact with the self-return 7, and the convex portion 2d moves the self-return 7 to the right of the center line. It comes to press. The self-return 7 pressed to the right side tries to return to the left side by the elastic force of the springs 7b and 7b. At this time, the self return 7 presses the convex portion 2d, thereby returning the dial 2 to the state before the rotation, that is, the initial position as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. Thus, when the dial 2 rotates, the dial 2 returns to the state before the rotation by the self return 7.

  A ball plunger 21 is provided at the center of the convex portion 2 d of the dial 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the ball plunger 21 includes a bottomed cylindrical housing 21a, a coil spring 21b accommodated in the housing 21a, and a ball 21c disposed in an opening of the housing 21a. The housing 21 a is provided on the dial 2 so that an opening is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dial 2. The coil spring 21b has a regular length and supports the ball 21c in a state in which the coil spring 21b protrudes from the housing 21a to the inside of the dial 2 by approximately a hemisphere. When the ball 21c receives pressure from the outside of the coil spring 21b, the ball 21c recedes to the inside of the housing 21a against the urging force of the coil spring 21b and reduces the amount of protrusion to the outside of the housing 21a. .

  On the other hand, the rotation guide 8f is formed with recesses 81a and 81b in which a part of the outer diameter along the circumferential direction is reduced in a stepped shape. The above-described ball 21c is in contact with the center between the recesses 81a and 81b. When the dial 2 rotates and the opening of the housing 21a coincides with the recesses 81a and 81b, the ball 21c is engaged with the recesses 81a and 81b by the biasing force of the coil spring 21b as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. It has become. At this time, a click feeling is transmitted to the user's hand that rotates the operation knob 1 via the dial 2. The recesses 81a and 81b are formed at positions where the ball 21c is engaged when the dial 2 is rotated 15 degrees forward and backward. That is, the user who performs the rotation operation of the operation knob 1 can grasp that the operation knob 1 is rotated by 15 degrees when there is a click feeling. Thereby, the user can perform the rotation operation of the operation knob 1 in two stages.

  As described above, since the operation knob 1 rotates forward and backward around the longitudinal direction and returns to the original initial state after the rotation, the user does not have to rotate the wrist greatly. Rotation operation is possible. Thereby, the burden concerning a user's wrist at the time of rotation operation can be reduced. The operation knob 1 returns to the initial state after the operation, so that the user can perform a plurality of operations such as a rotation operation, a tilt operation, and a sliding operation without changing the operation knob 1.

  Next, an example of an operation method for operating the in-vehicle device using the operation device configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen operated by the operation device. FIG. 10 shows an operation screen of the air conditioner.

  At the bottom of the operation screen, air conditioner functions such as “PASS TEMP”, “MODE”, “BLOWER”, and “TEMP” are displayed in a horizontal row. An image 102 showing the knob 1b of the operation knob 1 is displayed at the lower center of the operation screen. In the image 102, one of the functions of the air conditioner described above is superimposed and displayed. Further, triangle marks indicating the left and right directions of the image 102 are displayed on the left and right of the image 102. By moving the image 102, that is, the operation knob 1 to the left and right by the triangle mark, the user can intuitively grasp that the function of the displayed air conditioner moves to the left and right.

  The user selects the function of the air conditioner by moving the operation knob 1 left and right. For example, in FIG. 10A, “MODE” is superimposed on the image 102, but when the operation knob 1 is moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 10B, “MODE” on the right side of “MODE” is displayed. BLOWER "is superimposed on the image 102, and an image for adjusting the air volume is displayed on the upper side of the operation screen. When the operation knob 1 is further moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 10C, “TEMP” on the right side of “BLOWER” is superimposed on the image 102, and the temperature is displayed on the upper side of the operation screen. The image to be adjusted is displayed. In a display state where the function overlaps with the image 102, the user determines the selection of the function overlapped with the image 102 by tilting the operation knob 1 forward. Thereby, the detailed setting items of the function displayed on the upper side of the operation screen can be operated by the operation knob 1.

  In FIG. 10B, the “BLOWER” function is selected, and an image for adjusting the air volume is displayed on the upper side of the operation screen. In FIG. 10C, the “TEMP” function is selected, and an image for adjusting the temperature is displayed on the upper side of the operation screen. The user can adjust the air volume and temperature by rotating the operation knob 1. Specifically, the air volume / temperature can be increased by rotating the operation knob 1 to the right, and the air volume / temperature can be decreased by rotating the operation knob 1 to the left. At this time, when the operation knob 1 is rotated by 15 degrees, the air volume / temperature is increased or decreased by one step every predetermined time, and when the operation knob 1 is rotated by 30 degrees, the air volume / temperature is increased by a plurality of stages in a short time. Get smaller. When it is desired to select the function of the air conditioner again, the function of the air conditioner can be selected by tilting the operation knob 1 to the rear side. The selection of the function may be determined by pressing the operation knob 1.

  Each time the operation knob 1 is operated by the user, the operation knob 1 returns to the state before the operation. Therefore, the user can perform the above-described series of operations without changing the operation knob 1. For example, when the user rotates the operation knob 1 in one direction, the operation knob 1 returns to the state before the rotation, so that the user can rotate the operation knob 1 in the opposite direction without changing the operation knob 1. In addition, a sliding operation, a pressing operation, a tilting operation, and the like can be performed.

  In addition, although the operation method of an air conditioner is demonstrated in FIG. 10, other vehicle equipment can also be operated with an operating device. For example, the operation target vehicle-mounted device may be selected from a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices in the same manner as the air conditioner function selection operation described with reference to FIG. Moreover, you may enable it to select the vehicle equipment to be operated by pressing the operation knob 1. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen when the operation target is switched. FIG. 11A shows the operation screen of the air conditioner. In this state, it is possible to switch to the CD operation screen shown in FIG. On the CD operation screen, for example, selection from a plurality of discs, selection of music pieces in the selected discs, and the like are performed. Further, by pressing the operation knob 1, it is possible to switch to the radio operation screen shown in FIG. On the radio operation screen, the frequency is selected. In this way, the user can continue the operation of other in-vehicle devices without changing the operation knob 1. In addition, since a plurality of in-vehicle devices can be operated with one operating device, it is not necessary to install a plurality of operating devices in the vehicle, and the installation space for the operating device can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation knob 1 that has been rotated, slid, or tilted returns to the initial state before the rotation, before the slide, or before the tilt. It is not necessary to check the state of the operation knob 1 each time the operation knob 1 is operated. Thereby, the user can start operation smoothly and can shorten operation time. Further, when the driver operates, it is possible to prevent an accident caused by a side driving while driving. The operation knob 1 has a shape that can be easily picked by the user and can be rotated forward and backward about the longitudinal direction, thereby reducing the burden on the user's wrist when the operation knob 1 is rotated. be able to.

  Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described, each configuration, operation, and the like can be changed as appropriate, and are not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the operation device can perform all of the rotation operation, the sliding operation, the tilting operation, and the pressing operation of the operation knob 1 as long as any two or more operations are possible. For example, an operating device capable of only rotating operation and sliding operation may be used. Moreover, the operation method of the vehicle-mounted device in the operation device is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation knob 1b Knob part 2 Dial 2b Pin 2c, 2c Convex part 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e Pin 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e Switch element (detection means, output means)
11a, 11b Optical sensor (detection means, output means)

Claims (7)

In the in-vehicle device operation device that outputs a signal related to the in-vehicle device according to the movement of the operation body movable in a plurality of directions,
Means for supporting the operating body and allowing the operating body to rotate within a predetermined angular range; means for allowing sliding in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; means for allowing tilting with respect to the rotation axis; And a support portion having at least two or more means capable of pressing in the rotation axis direction,
Means for returning the operation body rotated, slid, tilted or pressed to a state before rotation, before sliding, before tilting or before pressing;
Detecting means for detecting that the operating body is rotated, slid, tilted or pressed;
An in-vehicle device operation device comprising: an output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to a detection result when rotation, sliding, tilting, or pressing of the operation body is detected. The output means includes
The in-vehicle device operation device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation body is pressed, a signal for switching an operation target is output. The operating body is:
Plane part and
A knob that is convex with respect to the flat surface,
The knob is
The in-vehicle device operating device according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle device operating device has two parallel side surfaces, and a dimension in a parallel direction of the two side surfaces is longer than a dimension between the side surfaces. The support part is
The in-vehicle device operating device according to claim 3, wherein the operating body is supported so that a longitudinal direction of the knob is at the center of a rotation angle range. The support part is
The in-vehicle device operating device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the operating body is supported so that the longitudinal direction is a tilting direction. The support part is
The in-vehicle device operating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the operating body is supported so that a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a sliding direction. The in-vehicle device operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for prohibiting the operating body from simultaneously rotating, sliding and tilting.

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