JP2566061Y2 - Composite switch structure of automatic cruise control system for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic cruise control system for a vehicle, which controls the opening of a throttle valve so that the two vehicle speeds match based on a comparison between the actual vehicle speed and a set vehicle speed. It is related to the improvement of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automatic cruise control system for a vehicle, a speed control section is supplied with power from a power supply line by operating a main switch as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-53432. Then, the opening degree of the throttle valve is controlled according to a switch signal of a set switch group including a set switch and a release switch. Incidentally, the main switch is arranged on an instrument panel of a vehicle, for example, in a configuration like the technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-18727. The setting switch group has, for example, a configuration as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-26932, and is disposed near the steering wheel.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the main switch and the setting switch group are separately provided independently, so that a space for each is required and operability is increased. Inferiorly, there is a problem that it becomes a factor inducing erroneous operation. The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a main switch and a group of setting switches which are gathered to reduce the installation space, and prevent erroneous operations and improve operability. An object of the present invention is to provide a composite switch structure of a high-speed traveling device.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention controls a throttle valve opening based on a comparison between an actual vehicle speed and a set vehicle speed so that the two vehicle speeds match. An automatic constant speed traveling device for a vehicle including a control unit, comprising: a main switch that activates the vehicle speed control unit; and a setting switch group that outputs a vehicle speed setting switch signal to the vehicle speed control unit. ,
A knob that is retracted by a pressing operation to perform a switch function, a holding mechanism that holds the knob in a retracted state, and a release unit that releases the holding of the holding mechanism in response to an off signal of an ignition switch; Is arranged so as to close the operation portion of the setting switch group in the extended state, thereby constituting a composite switch structure of the automatic cruise control device for a vehicle.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle steering wheel, and a composite switch 2 is disposed near a pad 1a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the composite switch 2 has a single case 3 in which a main switch 4 and a setting switch group 5 are collectively arranged. Setting switch group 5
Comprises a set switch 6, a cancel switch 7, and an acceleration switch 8 arranged side by side in a sub case 3a integrally formed on the front surface of the case 3. Each of the switches 6 to 8 in the setting switch group 5 is provided with a built-in rubber contact (see FIG. 4) by pressing the corresponding setting knob 6a, 7a or 8a in the operation portion 3b on the upper surface of the sub case 3a in the direction of the arrow X. (Not shown) is constituted by an automatic reset type switch which operates as a switch.

The main switch 4 is built in the case 3, and the knob 4a is inserted and retracted in an arrow Y direction substantially perpendicular to an arrow X direction which is a pressing direction of the setting knobs 6a to 8a. The knob 4a, when extended from the case 3, conceals the pressing surfaces of the setting knobs 6a to 8a, thereby closing the operation portion 3b of the setting switch group 5. The knob 4a is urged in the extension direction by a compression spring 10 interposed between the rear end and the lid 9.

The knob 4a has a movable contact piece 12 urged by a compression spring 11 on one side surface, and a pair of fixed contacts 13
And 14 are made conductive by sliding contact. The knob 4a includes a holding mechanism 15 that cooperates with the case 3 to hold the knob 4a in a retracted state. The holding mechanism 15 has a well-known configuration generally referred to as a heart cam lock mechanism, for example, and includes a heart cam-shaped groove 15 a formed in the knob 4 a and a leaf spring 15 from the case 3 side.
It is configured to be locked by the engagement action with the engagement pin 15c urged in b.

The case 3 is provided with a release section 17 for releasing the holding state of the holding mechanism 15 in response to an OFF signal of an ignition switch 16 described later. The release unit 17 is formed of, for example, a solenoid in which the rod 17b extends when the coil 17a is excited. The knob 4a integrally forms a release plate 4b extending from the rear end toward the tip of the rod 17b of the release portion 17.

Next, a description will be given of a circuit configuration of a constant-speed traveling device for a vehicle provided with the composite switch 2 having the above configuration. In FIG. 4, + V indicates a positive electrode of a DC power supply, 16 indicates an ignition switch, 18 indicates a relay, 19 indicates a vehicle speed control unit, 20 indicates a vehicle speed sensor, and 21 controls the opening of the throttle valve 22 based on a control signal from the vehicle speed control unit 19. Actuator, 23
Is a known pulse generator having a function of outputting one pulse signal when the ignition switch 16 is turned off. In the figures, reference numeral 2 denotes FIGS.
Is a composite switch schematically showing the configuration shown by.

Here, the main switch 4 is connected to a DC power supply +
V through the ignition switch 16 and the power line L
By supplying power to the vehicle speed side control unit 19 through
The vehicle speed control unit 19 is set to an operating state, and the power supply line L is set to an energized state by operating the relay 18. The main switch 4 connects the coil 17 a of the release unit 17 to the output side of the pulse generation unit 23.

In the set switch group 5, a set switch 6 is turned on during running at a desired vehicle speed to set the set vehicle speed. The cancel switch 7 is for canceling the setting of the set vehicle speed. The acceleration switch 8
This is for accelerating the vehicle running at a constant speed. The vehicle speed control unit 19 outputs a control signal based on a comparison between the actual vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed sensor 20 and the set vehicle speed when the switch signal of the set switch 6 is input, such that the two vehicle speeds match. A function of canceling the set vehicle speed when a switch signal of the cancel switch 7 is input;
When a switch signal of the acceleration switch 8 is input, the control signal is output so as to accelerate the vehicle traveling at a constant speed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. While the vehicle is running with the ignition switch 16 turned on,
When the knob 4a of the main switch 4 is extended as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle speed control unit 19 is not supplied with power from the power supply line L, and is in an inactive state. The setting knobs 6a to 8a of the setting switch group 5 cannot be pressed because the operation part 3b is closed by the knob 4a.

Thereafter, when the knob 4a is pressed in the direction of arrow Y against the urging force of the compression spring 10, the knob 4a is held by the holding mechanism 15 in a state of being retracted to a position 4a 'indicated by a virtual line in FIG. Is done. At this time, release plate 4b provided at the rear end of the knob 4a is moved to the M ₂ position from the initial M ₁ position. The movable contact piece 12 is switched on by conducting between the pair of fixed contacts 13 and 14. As a result, the relay 18 is turned on to supply power from the power supply line L to the vehicle speed control unit 19. In this state, since the operation part 3b of the setting switch group 5 is released, the pressing operation of each of the setting knobs 6a to 8a becomes possible.

Now, when the vehicle is running at a desired vehicle speed,
When the set switch 6 is turned on by pressing the setting knob 6a, the vehicle speed control unit 19 at this point
A control signal is output so that the vehicle travels at a constant speed automatically using the actual vehicle speed input from 0 as a reference set vehicle speed. Then
The actuator 21 controls the opening of the throttle valve 22 according to the control signal. Next, while the acceleration switch 8 is turned on, the vehicle speed control unit 19 performs control to accelerate and set the set vehicle speed, and outputs a control signal. Also,
When the cancel switch 7 is turned on, the vehicle speed control unit 19 cancels the setting of the set vehicle speed. Thus, the automatic cruise control of the vehicle is released.

When the main switch 4 is further depressed from the position 4a 'indicated by the imaginary line, the main switch 4 is pressed.
Is released from the engagement between the groove 15a and the engagement pin 15c. Thus, the knob 4a returns to the original extended position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 by the urging force of the compression spring 10.
At this time, the release plate 4b of the knob 4a, once the M ₂ position M
After regressed ₃ position, it will return to the original M ₁ position. Accordingly, the movable contact 12 becomes a pair of fixed contacts 13.
And 14 are separated and switched off. Therefore, the relay 18 stops supplying power from the power supply line L to the vehicle speed control unit 19.

On the other hand, when the ignition switch 16 is turned off with the knob 4a of the main switch 4 retracted to the position 4a 'shown by the phantom line, the pulse generator 23
Outputs a one-pulse pulse signal. Then, the release unit 1
7 is the rod 17a because the coil 17a is temporarily excited.
b once extends to a position 17b 'indicated by a virtual line, and then retreats. Thus, release plate 4b is pushed to the rod 17b, regress from M ₂ position to the M ₃ position. At this time, since the holding state of the holding mechanism 15 is released, the knob 4a returns to the original extended position by the urging force of the compression spring 10.

Since the composite switch 2 having such a configuration and operation is disposed near the pad portion 1a of the steering wheel 1, the driver can perform all switch operations at the same position while the vehicle is running. It can be done very easily.

In the above embodiment, each of the setting knobs 6a to 8a of the setting switch 5 is not limited to a configuration in which a pressing operation is performed. For example, a configuration in which a sliding operation, a swing operation, a rotation operation, or the like may be performed. . Further, the knob 4a of the main switch 4 is not limited to the configuration in which the pressing surfaces of the setting knobs 6a to 8a are covered in the extended state, and the operation of the setting knobs 6a to 8a is prevented. Any configuration may be used as long as the operation part 3b of the setting switch group 5 is closed. For example, all the setting knobs 6a to 8a
May be configured so as to cover the entire periphery.

Further, the main switch 4 has a holding mechanism 15
The configuration for releasing the holding state is not limited to the configuration of the combination of the release section 17 composed of a solenoid and the release plate 4b. For example, the holding mechanism 15 and the release section 17 composed of a heart cam lock mechanism are integrated. Assemble and engage pin 15
A configuration in which the holding state is released by forcibly displacing c by the release unit 17 may be employed. Further, a release unit 17 constituted by a solenoid also has a function of the holding mechanism 15, and is excited when the knob 4 a is pressed, is held in the pressed state, and is de-energized when the ignition switch 16 is turned off. , And the holding of the knob 4a may be released.

The setting switch group 5 is not limited to the configuration of the set switch 6, the cancel switch 7 and the acceleration switch 8, but only one of them may be provided, or a resume switch, an accelerated switch, etc. A configuration in which another setting switch is disposed may be used.

[0021]

According to the configuration of the present invention, as described above, the main switch and the setting switch group are assembled, and when the knob of the main switch is extended, the knob is operated by the operating portion of the setting switch group. , The switch arrangement space can be saved, and erroneous operation can be prevented and operability can be improved, thereby providing a composite switch structure of an automatic cruising device for a vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a layout view of a composite switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the composite switch in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram showing one embodiment of an automatic constant speed traveling device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Composite switch 3b Operation part 4 Main switch 4a Knob 5 Setting switch group 15 Holding mechanism 16 Ignition switch 17 Release unit 19 Vehicle speed control unit 22 Throttle valve

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An automatic constant-speed traveling device for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle speed control unit that controls an opening degree of a throttle valve so that the vehicle speeds match based on a comparison between an actual vehicle speed of the vehicle and a set vehicle speed. A main switch that activates a control unit; and a setting switch group that outputs a vehicle speed setting switch signal to the vehicle speed control unit. A holding mechanism that holds the holding mechanism in a retracted state, and a release unit that releases the holding of the holding mechanism in response to an off signal of an ignition switch, wherein the knob is an operating part of the setting switch group in the extended state. A composite switch structure for an automatic constant-speed traveling device for a vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed so as to close the vehicle.