JP2014075219A - Steering switch and steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering switch that allows reducing wiring and being easily reduced in size, and has an excellent operability, and to provide a steering wheel.SOLUTION: A steering switch 10 includes a first touch panel 11a, a second touch panel 11b capable of operating a different operation from the operation of the first touch panel 11a, and an enclosure 11 supporting the first touch panel 11a and the second touch panel 11b. The first touch panel 11a and the second touch panel 11b are integrated with their back surfaces being joined together, and are attached to a steering wheel 1 so that operating surfaces are changeable by rotation of the enclosure 11. Touching electrodes 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d for detecting touches of the first touch panel 11a double as electrodes for detecting touches of the second touch panel 11b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering switch provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle and a steering wheel.

  Conventionally, for example, a steering switch for operating an air conditioner or an audio device is provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle. Conventional steering switches were mechanical seesaw type or jog dial type.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses a technique that enables operation of a plurality of in-vehicle devices without increasing the arrangement area of the operation surface by providing operation switches on both surfaces of the rotatable operation member.

JP 2010-188862 A

However, when mechanical switches are provided on both sides as in Patent Document 1, the thickness of the steering switch is increased and the wiring is increased. Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the structure of the steering switch is complicated and the whole is enlarged.
Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since there are many wirings, there is a problem that the load on the wiring that is deformed by rotation increases and the operability of the steering switch deteriorates.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering switch and a steering wheel that can reduce wiring, are easy to downsize, and have good operability.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  The invention of claim 1 is a steering switch (10, 20) that is attached to the steering wheel (1) and receives an operation input, and is different from the first touch panel (11a, 21a) and the first touch panel. A second touch panel (11b, 21b) capable of performing an operation, and a casing (11, 21) supporting the first touch panel and the second touch panel, the first touch panel and the The second touch panel is integrated with the backs together, and is attached to the steering wheel so that the casing can be rotated to change the operation surface. The touch electrodes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) to be detected also serve as electrodes for detecting the touch of the second touch panel. When a steering switch (10, 20), characterized in.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering switch according to the first aspect, the first touch panel (11a, 21a) or the second touch panel (11b, 21b) is detected as an operation surface. A steering switch (10, 20) is characterized by comprising a detector (13, 14).

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering switch according to the second aspect, the touch electrodes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are configured as capacitive sensors, and the detection unit is configured to be the touch switch. The steering switch (10, 20) is characterized by having operation surface detection electrodes (13, 14) formed as electrostatic capacitive sensors similar to the electrodes for the operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering switch according to the second or third aspect, the contents of the operation instruction given by the touch detection result by the touch electrodes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are stored in the detection unit. A steering switch (10, 20) is characterized by including a steering switch control unit (100) that performs control so as to change based on a detection result.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering switch according to the first aspect, the touch electrodes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are provided on the surface of the first touch panel (11a) or the second touch panel (11b). The steering switch (30) is characterized in that the casing (11) has a predetermined thickness.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering switch according to the fifth aspect, an operation instruction given by a touch detection result by the touch electrodes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is an operation of the first touch panel (11a). The steering switch (30) is characterized by comprising an operation determination unit (130) that determines whether the operation is performed on the second touch panel (11b) based on a difference in detection voltage.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is a steering wheel (1) having the steering switch (10, 20) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

  According to the present invention, the touch electrode for detecting a touch on the first touch panel also serves as an electrode for detecting a touch on the second touch panel. Therefore, the steering switch can reduce wiring and can be easily downsized. In addition, since the number of wirings is small, the wiring load with respect to the rotational movement of the housing is reduced, and the operability is improved. Further, since no mechanical switch is used, the size can be easily reduced.

It is the schematic which shows the steering wheel 1 provided with the steering switch 10 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a schematic view of the steering wheel 1 in a state where a second touch panel 11b of the steering switch 10 is exposed. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st touch panel 11a side of the steering switch 10, and the 2nd touch panel 11b side. It is the schematic perspective view which looked at the steering switch 10 from the 1st touch panel 11a side. It is a figure which shows the steering switch 10 in a surface operation state. It is the figure which looked at the shaft member 16 from the passenger | crew side. It is a figure which shows the steering switch 10 in a back surface operation state. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a control circuit of a steering switch 10. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the steering switch 20 of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view which looked at the steering switch 30 of 3rd Embodiment from the 1st touchscreen 11a side. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit of a steering switch 30. FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a steering wheel 1 including a steering switch 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the steering wheel 1 is shown as a rotational position where the vehicle goes straight, and this position is hereinafter referred to as a straight drive position. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first touch panel 11a of the steering switch 10 is exposed to the occupant side.
In addition, each figure shown below including FIG. 1 is the figure shown typically, and the magnitude | size and shape of each part are exaggerated suitably for easy understanding.
In the following description, specific numerical values, shapes, materials, and the like are shown and described, but these can be changed as appropriate.

  The steering wheel 1 includes a steering switch 10 on the occupant side surface of the spoke portion 1a. In the present embodiment, the steering switch 10 is provided only on the right side from the passenger side toward the steering wheel 1 (the right side in a state where the steering wheel 1 is in the straight traveling position). However, the steering wheel 1 may have the steering switch 10 also in the spoke portions 1b and 1c at other positions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the steering wheel 1 with the second touch panel 11b of the steering switch 10 exposed.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering switch 10 according to the present embodiment has a state in which the surface exposed to the passenger side by the rotation of the housing 11 is the first touch panel 11 a (hereinafter referred to as a surface operation state). And the second touch panel 11b can be switched to a state where the second touch panel 11b is exposed to the occupant side (hereinafter referred to as a back surface operation state).

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first touch panel 11 a side and the second touch panel 11 b side of the steering switch 10.
The first touch panel 11a of the steering switch 10 can operate the air conditioner 110 (see FIG. 8). The first touch panel 11a of the steering switch 10 is provided with notation areas 101a to 101d.
The notation area 101a is an area that is touched when the temperature is raised.
The notation area 101b is an area that is touched when the temperature is lowered.
The notation area 101c is an area that is touched when the air volume is increased.
The notation area 101d is an area that is touched when the air volume is lowered.

The second touch panel 11b of the steering switch 10 can operate the audio device 120 (see FIG. 8). On the second touch panel 11b of the steering switch 10, notation areas 102a to 102d are provided.
The notation area 102a is an area that is touched when the volume is increased.
The notation area 102b is an area that is touched when the volume is lowered.
The notation area 102c is an area that is touched when music selection is advanced.
The notation area 102d is an area that is touch-operated when music selection is returned.

The notation area 101a and the notation area 102a are arranged facing each other back to back. The notation area 101b and the notation area 102b are arranged facing each other back to back. The notation area 101c and the notation area 102c are arranged facing each other back to back. The notation area 101d and the notation area 102d are arranged facing each other back to back.
The notation areas 101a to 101d and the notation areas 102a to 102d are printed on the operation surface films 101 and 102, respectively. The operation surface films 101 and 102 are affixed to the front surface and the back surface of the casing 11 described later.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the steering switch 10 as viewed from the first touch panel 11a side.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the steering switch 10 in the surface operation state. FIG. 5A shows the first touch panel 11a side of the steering switch 10 in the surface operation state. FIG.5 (b) shows the cross section cut | disconnected by the arrow AA shown in Fig.5 (a). FIG. 5C shows the second touch panel 11b side of the steering switch 10 in the surface operation state.
FIG. 6 is a view of the shaft member 16 as seen from the occupant side.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the steering switch 10 in the back surface operation state. Fig.7 (a) shows the 2nd touch panel 11b side of the steering switch 10 in a back surface operation state. FIG.7 (b) shows the cross section cut | disconnected by arrow BB shown in Fig.7 (a). FIG.7 (c) shows the 1st touch panel 11a side of the steering switch 10 in a back surface operation state.
4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, the operation surface films 101 and 102 having the above-described notation areas 101 a to 101 d and the notation areas 102 a to 102 d are omitted so that the configuration of each electrode can be seen. As shown.
The steering switch 10 includes a housing 11, touch electrodes 12 a to 12 d, operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14, a housing support member 15, a shaft member 16, and reference potential electrodes 17 and 18. Yes.

  The housing 11 has a first touch panel 11a and a second touch panel 11b. The first touch panel 11a and the second touch panel 11b are integrated together with their back surfaces. In the present embodiment, the casing 11 is formed so as to serve both as a configuration of two touch panels and a configuration as a casing by a substrate on which an electric circuit is formed. In addition, it is good also as a form which integrates two separately comprised touch panels with the housing | casing comprised by another component. Touch electrodes 12 a to 12 d are provided on the first touch panel 11 a of the housing 11.

  The touch electrodes 12a to 12d are all electrodes of a capacitance sensor that can detect a change in capacitance. These touch electrodes 12a to 12d serve as both electrodes for detecting a touch on the first touch panel 11a and electrodes for detecting a touch on the second touch panel 11b. The touch electrodes 12a to 12d are provided on the first touch panel 11a side. However, even if the housing 11 (substrate material) is sandwiched between them, the change in capacitance on the second touch panel 11b side can be sufficiently detected. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to detect touches on both sides of the first touch panel 11a side and the second touch panel 11b side with one touch electrode.

The touch electrode 12a detects a touch on the notation area 101a and the notation area 102a.
The touch electrode 12b detects a touch on the notation area 101b and the notation area 102b.
The touch electrode 12c detects a touch on the notation area 101c and the notation area 102c.
The touch electrode 12d detects a touch on the notation area 101d and the notation area 102d.

  The operation surface detection electrodes 13, 14 are arranged side by side on the first touch panel 11 a side of the housing 11 and close to the shaft member 16. Similarly to the touch electrodes 12a to 12d, the operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14 are electrodes of a capacitance sensor that can detect a change in capacitance. The operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14 constitute a detection unit that detects which of the first touch panel 11a and the second touch panel 11b is used as the operation surface. A method of detecting the operation surface by the operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14 will be described later.

  The housing support member 15 is a member that supports the housing 11 so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft member 16. In the present embodiment, two housing support members 15 are provided so as to sandwich the vicinity of two adjacent corners of the housing 11.

  The shaft member 16 is disposed in the vicinity of one end of the housing 11. The shaft member 16 serves as a rotation center when the casing 11 rotates between the front surface operation state and the back surface operation state. Therefore, the housing 11 can be rotated and moved in a form that turns a book. The shaft member 16 is formed with plate-like shelf portions 16b and 16c projecting symmetrically on both outer sides at the center in the direction along the axis.

The reference potential electrodes 17 and 18 are provided on the occupant side surfaces of the shelf portions 16b and 16c of the shaft member 16, respectively. The reference potential electrodes 17 and 18 are connected to the ground electrode of the housing 11 by a wiring (not shown) so as to be equal to the reference potential (ground potential) in the circuit of the steering switch 10. The reference potential electrodes 17 and 18 can be formed, for example, by attaching conductive sheets such as a metal tape.
The reference potential electrode 17 is disposed at a position overlapping the operation surface detection electrode 13 in the surface operation state. One reference potential electrode 18 is disposed at a position overlapping the operation surface detection electrode 14 in the back surface operation state. Therefore, when the case 11 is in the surface operation state, the reference potential electrode 17 and the operation surface detection electrode 13 come close to each other, and the change in capacitance can be detected by the operation surface detection electrode 13. It can detect that it is in a state. On the other hand, when the housing 11 is in the back surface operation state, the reference potential electrode 18 and the operation surface detection electrode 14 come close to each other, and the change in capacitance can be detected by the operation surface detection electrode 14. It can detect that it is in a state.

  In the present embodiment, the reference potential electrodes 17 and 18 are formed independently. However, the casing support member 15 and the shaft member 16 are plated or made of a conductive metal, so that You may make it electrically connect with the ground electrode of a board | substrate part. In this case, when the housing 11 is in the surface operation state, the operation surface detection electrode 13 and the shelf portion 16b overlap each other, and a part of the shelf portion 16b does not overlap the operation surface detection electrode 14 and the shelf portion 16b. It is good to form by notching. Similarly, when the casing 11 is in the rear surface operation state, the operation surface detection electrode 14 and the shelf portion 16c overlap each other, and the operation surface detection electrode 13 and the shelf portion 16c do not overlap each other. It is good to form by notching.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit of the steering switch 10.
The steering switch 10 includes a steering switch control unit 100 in addition to the configuration described above. The steering switch control unit 100 performs control so that the content of the operation instruction performed based on the touch detection result by the touch electrodes 12a to 12d is changed based on the detection result of the detection unit (operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14). That is, when the operation surface detection electrode 13 approaches the reference potential electrode 17 and detects a change in capacitance, it can be determined that the surface operation state is present. Therefore, in this case, the steering switch control unit 100 transmits the operation instruction content to the air conditioner 110, assuming that the touch detection result by the touch electrodes 12a to 12d is an operation instruction of the air conditioner 110. On the other hand, when the operation surface detection electrode 14 approaches the reference potential electrode 18 and detects a change in capacitance, it can be determined that the operation is on the back surface. Therefore, in this case, the steering switch control unit 100 transmits the operation instruction content to the audio device 120 by regarding the touch detection result by the touch electrodes 12a to 12d as the operation instruction of the audio device 120.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the touch electrodes 12a to 12d that detect the touch of the first touch panel 11a also serve as electrodes that detect the touch of the second touch panel 11b. Therefore, the steering switch 10 can reduce wiring and can be easily downsized. Moreover, since there are few wirings, the load of the wiring with respect to the rotational movement of the housing | casing 11 also decreases, and operativity improves. Further, since no mechanical switch is used, the size can be easily reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the steering switch 20 of the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the first touch panel 21a faces the occupant side, and FIG. 9B shows a state in which the second touch panel 21b faces the occupant side.
The steering switch 20 of the second embodiment has the same form as the steering switch 10 of the first embodiment, except that the form of rotation of the housing 21 is different. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

  The steering switch 20 according to the second embodiment is provided with a shaft member 26 so that the casing 21 can be rotated and moved about the approximate center thereof as a rotation center axis. The steering switch 20 has a state in which the first touch panel 21a on the front side faces the occupant side (surface operation state) and the second touch panel 21b on the back side faces the occupant side as the casing 21 rotates. Switch the status (surface operation status).

  As shown in the second embodiment, in the present invention, the position of the rotation center axis of the housing can be changed as appropriate.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the steering switch 30 according to the third embodiment as viewed from the first touch panel 11a side.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control circuit of the steering switch 30.
The steering switch 30 of the third embodiment is not provided with the operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14 and the reference potential electrodes 17 and 18 that function as a detection unit in the steering switch 10 of the first embodiment. Further, the steering switch 30 of the third embodiment includes an operation determination unit 130 instead of the detection units (13, 14) in the steering switch 10 of the first embodiment. Except for the above differences, the steering switch 30 of the third embodiment has the same form as the steering switch 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

  The touch electrodes 12a to 12d are provided on the first touch panel 11a side. Therefore, the contact detection from the second touch panel 11b side is separated from the contact detection from the first touch panel 11a side by the thickness of the casing 11. Therefore, the voltage output by contact detection from the first touch panel 11a side and the voltage output by contact detection from the second touch panel 11b side are different. Therefore, by disposing the touch electrodes 12a to 12d on one surface side of the housing 11 as in the present embodiment, another touch electrode or the detection unit (operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14) in the first embodiment. It is possible to easily determine whether or not the first touch panel 11a or the second touch panel 11b is in contact with the touch panel. The touch electrodes 12a to 12d may be integrally formed by insert molding in the housing 11, but the touch electrodes 12a to 12d are changed in distance from the surfaces of the first touch panel 11a and the second touch panel 11b. It is preferable that the output voltages are different.

  With this configuration, the distance differs by the plate pressure of the housing 11, so that the voltage value also differs, and it is possible to determine which side is being touched without providing another electrode. It is. When the distance between the touch surface and the touch electrodes 12a to 12d is short, the capacitance induced in the electrode increases, so that the rounding of the oscillation waveform of the electrode increases and the time exceeding the reference voltage is shortened. The time width of the pulse waveform becomes shorter and the voltage value decreases. Therefore, the closer the distance, the smaller the voltage value than the farther distance. Depending on the voltage value difference, whether the touched surface is the first touch panel 11a side or the second touch panel 11b side. It can be determined whether there is any.

The operation determination unit 130 determines whether the touched surface is on the first touch panel 11a side or the second touch panel 11b side based on the voltage value difference described above.
The steering switch control unit 100 determines whether the operation target is the air conditioner 110 or the audio device 120 using the determination result of the operation determination unit 130.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the steering switch 30 can correctly control without providing the detection unit (operation surface detection electrodes 13 and 14).

(Deformation)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in each embodiment, the steering switch has been described with an example used for the operation of an air conditioner and an audio device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation content may be any content, for example, switching of a navigation device, a mobile phone, and a driving mode of the vehicle.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 1a, 1b, 1c Spoke part 10 Steering switch 11 Case 11a 1st touch panel 11b 2nd touch panel 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Touch electrode 13, 14 Operation surface detection electrode 15 Case support member 16 Shaft members 16b, 16c Shelf portions 17, 18 Reference potential electrode 20 Steering switch 21 Housing 21a First touch panel 21b Second touch panel 26 Shaft member 100 Steering switch control unit 101 Operation surface films 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d Notation area 102 Operation surface films 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d Notation area 110 Air conditioner 120 Audio equipment 30 Steering switch 130 Operation determination

Claims (7)

A steering switch that is attached to the steering wheel and receives an operation input,
A first touch panel;
A second touch panel capable of performing an operation different from the first touch panel;
A housing supporting the first touch panel and the second touch panel;
With
The first touch panel and the second touch panel are integrated with the backs together, and are attached to the steering wheel so that the casing can be rotated to change the operation surface.
The touch electrode for detecting a touch on the first touch panel also serves as an electrode for detecting a touch on the second touch panel;
Steering switch characterized by The steering switch according to claim 1, wherein
A detection unit that detects which of the first touch panel and the second touch panel is used as an operation surface;
Steering switch characterized by The steering switch according to claim 2,
The touch electrode is configured as a capacitive sensor,
The detection unit includes an operation surface detection electrode formed as an electrostatic capacitive sensor similar to the touch electrode;
Steering switch characterized by In the steering switch according to claim 2 or claim 3,
A steering switch control unit that controls to change the content of an operation instruction performed based on the detection result of the touch electrode based on the detection result of the detection unit;
Steering switch characterized by The steering switch according to claim 1, wherein
The touch electrode is provided on a surface of the first touch panel or the second touch panel, and the casing has a predetermined thickness;
Steering switch characterized by The steering switch according to claim 5,
An operation determination unit for determining whether an operation instruction performed based on a touch detection result by the touch electrode is an operation of the first touch panel or an operation of the second touch panel, based on a difference in detection voltage; Preparing,
Steering switch characterized by   A steering wheel having the steering switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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