JP4494862B2 - Air conditioning setting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an air conditioning setting device including a display unit having a display surface that displays a setting state relating to setting items of an air conditioner such as an air volume, a temperature, and an outlet, and an illumination unit that illuminates the display surface. The present invention relates to an air conditioning setting device capable of controlling the color of illumination light emitted from a means.

  Conventional air-conditioning setting devices are provided for each setting item, including air volume, temperature, and air outlet, which are setting items of the air-conditioning device, display means for displaying each setting state related to each setting item, and each setting item. An operation panel that outputs a setting change command signal for instructing a change in the setting state, illumination means that can emit illumination light of a plurality of different colors and illuminate the display surface, and illumination control means that controls the illumination means And.

Each operation panel is marked with characters and figures for identifying which operation panel changes which setting state. The illumination unit includes a red light emitting device that emits red light, a blue light emitting device that emits blue light, and a green light emitting device that emits green light. The illumination control means controls the red light emitting device and the blue light emitting device so that the color of the illumination light changes according to the set temperature in a temperature setting state, that is, in a state where the set temperature can be changed.
JP 2001-191784 A

  In a conventional air conditioning setting device, an operation panel is provided for each setting item as means for changing each setting state. In addition to this, as means for changing each setting state, switching command means for outputting a switching signal for instructing to switch each setting state to a state that can be selectively changed, and a command for changing the setting state that can be changed are instructed. It is conceivable to comprise a setting change command means for outputting a setting change signal.

  In the case where an operation panel is provided for each setting item as in the conventional air conditioning setting device, that is, each operation panel and each setting state changed by each operation panel have a one-to-one correspondence. When the operator changes the desired setting state, when the operator selects the operation panel corresponding to the desired setting state, the operator has completed the identification as not changing the setting state.

  On the other hand, in an air conditioning setting device including a switching command unit and a setting change command unit, the operator first switches the desired setting state to a state that can be changed by the switching command unit, so that the desired setting state can be changed. The change is confirmed by looking at the display screen, and if the desired setting state is changed to be changeable, the desired setting state is changed by the setting change command means. When operating the air conditioning setting device in this way, if the operator is a driver and cannot concentrate on seeing the display screen, which setting item is in a changeable state? Is difficult to identify quickly.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described actual situation, and in an air conditioning setting device that displays a setting state related to each of a plurality of setting items, it is possible to quickly identify which setting state is a changeable state. It is to provide a setting device for air conditioning that can contribute.

To achieve the foregoing objects the present invention are constituted following good sea urchin.

The present invention provides a display means having a display surface for displaying the temperature, the second setting item, and the third setting item, which are the first setting items of the air conditioner, and the respective setting states of these setting items. And a switching command means for outputting a switching signal for commanding to switch the setting state of the temperature, the setting state of the second setting item, and the setting state of the third setting item to a state that can be selectively changed, Setting change command means for outputting a setting change signal for instructing change of the setting state that has been changed to be changeable, display control means for controlling the display means in response to the switching signal and the setting change signal, and red light emission An illumination device that illuminates the display surface with at least one of these light emission devices, and an illumination control device that controls the color of illumination light emitted by the illumination device. An air conditioning setting device provided, wherein the lighting control means emits only the red light emitting device and the blue light emitting device in a state where the temperature setting state can be changed, and the setting state of the second setting item can be changed. Only the green light emitting device emits light in one of the normal state and the state in which the setting state of the third setting item can be changed, and the red light emitting device, the blue light emitting device, and the green light emitting device all emit light in the other. Then, the illumination means is controlled to be white.

In the present invention configured as described above, the illumination control unit emits only the red light emitting device and the blue light emitting device in a state where the temperature setting state can be changed, and the setting state of the second setting item can be changed. In one of the states in which the setting state of the third setting item can be changed, only the green light emitting device emits light, and on the other hand, all of the red light emitting device, the blue light emitting device, and the green light emitting device emit light and the illumination light is white. The lighting means is controlled so that Thereby, the color of the illumination light in a state where the temperature setting state can be changed, the color of the illumination light in a state where the second setting state can be changed, and the illumination light in a state where the third setting state can be changed All colors can be different. That is, the state in which the temperature setting state can be changed, the state in which the second setting state can be changed, and the state in which the third setting state can be changed can be identified by the color of the illumination light. As a result, it is possible to contribute to prompt identification of whether the setting state relating to the temperature, the second setting item, or the third setting item can be changed.

As described above, according to the present invention, which setting state can be changed in the air-conditioning setting device that displays the setting state according to each of the temperature, the second setting item, and the third setting item that are the first setting items. This can contribute to quick identification of the current state.

  Below, one Embodiment of the air-conditioning setting apparatus of this invention is described using FIGS.

  1 is a front view of one embodiment of an air conditioning setting device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the air conditioning setting device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the air conditioning setting apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the color of the illumination light of the display surface in the state which can change a setting state, FIG. 8 is the figure which shows the color of the illumination light of the display surface in the state where the setting state of an air volume can be changed, FIG. It is a figure which shows the color of the illumination light of a display surface in the state which can change the setting state of.

<1> Configuration of this Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment is an air conditioning setting device 1 for operating, for example, a car air conditioner 100 (see FIG. 6), and an automobile instrument panel (not shown). ).

  The air-conditioning setting device 1 displays the air volume, temperature, and air outlet, which are the setting items of the car air conditioner 100, and the air volume setting state (hereinafter referred to as “set air volume”) and temperature setting state (hereinafter referred to as “set temperature”). And a display surface that displays the setting state of the air outlet (hereinafter referred to as “setting air outlet”), that is, a display unit having the LCD 31, that is, the display device 30.

  The air conditioning setting device 1 also issues a switching command means for outputting a switching signal for commanding switching of the set air volume, the set temperature, and the set outlet to a state where it can be selectively changed, and a command for changing the changeable setting state. An input device 5 having setting change command means for outputting a setting change signal to be output.

  In addition, the air conditioning setting device 1 includes illumination means that can emit a plurality of different types of illumination light and illuminates the display surface, that is, an illumination device 35.

  Furthermore, the air conditioning setting device 1 includes a control device 60 that controls the display device 30, the input device 5, and the illumination device 35. The control device 60 serves as a display control unit that controls the display device 30 in accordance with a switching signal and a setting change signal output from the input device 5 and an illumination control unit that controls the color of light emitted from the lighting device 35. .

  The display device 30, the input device 5, and the lighting device 35 are accommodated in the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is formed by snap-joining a front side case 3 and a back side case 4.

<1.1> Configuration of Input Device 5 The configuration of the input device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The input device 5 is disposed on the front side of the front case 3 and includes the operation unit 6 that is manually rotated and moved in a predetermined direction, that is, tilted left and right. The plate portion of the front case 3 located around the operation portion 6 is provided with a concave portion 3B that is long in the left-right direction.

  In the housing 2, a motor 8 and a planetary gear mechanism portion 9 that is attached to the output shaft of the motor 8 and increases the rotational force output from the output shaft and outputs it are covered with a cover 10 and integrated. The engine 7 is accommodated.

  The planetary gear mechanism 9 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cover 10 and a sun gear 9A that is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 8 and rotates integrally with the output shaft, three planet gears 9B that revolve around the sun gear 9A. A ring gear 9C that meshes with the planet gear 9B on the inner peripheral side, and a carrier 9D that is provided with a rotation shaft of each planet gear 9C and rotates with the revolution of the planet gear 9C.

  The engine 7 is covered by a front engine cover 12 that is mounted on the front side of the engine 7 and has a cylindrical portion 12 </ b> A, and a rear engine cover 13 that is mounted on the rear side of the engine 7 and snap-coupled to the front engine cover 12.

  The output shaft of the carrier 9D is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 12A of the front engine cover 12, and a guide member 14 that guides the rotation of the operation portion 6 is slidably fitted on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 12A. Yes. In the center of the front end surface of the guide member 14, an operation unit holder 15 that is snap-coupled to the operation unit 6 is disposed. The operation unit holder 15, the guide member 14, and the carrier 9 </ b> D are fastened with screws 16.

  That is, in the input device 5, the operation unit holder 15, the guide member 14, the front engine cover 12, the planetary gear mechanism unit 9, and the rear engine cover 13 constitute a combined body of the operation unit 6 and the motor 8. In this combined body, the rotational force is transmitted between the operation unit 6 and the motor 8 via the operation unit holder 15, the guide member 14, and the planetary gear mechanism unit 9.

  The front case 3 is provided with a coupling portion 16A between the operation unit holder 15 and the guide member 14, and is formed with a horizontally elongated hole 3A that allows the coupling portion 16A to move as the coupling body tilts.

  An O-ring 17 is fitted into the front end surface of the front engine cover 12, and grease (not shown) is filled between the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 12 </ b> A of the front engine cover 12 and the inner periphery of the guide member 14. It is.

  The combined body is supported so as to be tiltable only in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1). That is, a pair of tilting shafts 19 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the front engine cover 12, and a pair of tongue pieces having a shaft hole 20 </ b> A into which the tilting shaft 19 is rotatably inserted inside the back side case 4. 20 is provided. The shaft hole may be provided in the front engine cover 12 and the tilting shaft may be provided in the back case 4 so as to be tiltable in the left-right direction.

  The rear case 4 is provided with a rear portion of the combined body located behind the tilting shaft 19 and a storage portion 4A that allows the combined body to tilt.

  The first circuit board 21 is fixed to the back case 4 with screws 22. The first circuit board 21 is provided with a rear portion of the combined body located behind the tilt shaft 19 and has an opening 21A that allows the combined body to tilt.

  On the left and right sides of the front surface of the first circuit board 21, the switching command means, that is, the first and second detection switches 23A and 23B are provided.

  The first detection switch 23A includes a driving member 123A provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the front-rear direction, a movable contact (not shown) and a fixed contact (not shown) that come into contact with and separate from each other as the driving member 123A reciprocates. And an elastic member (not shown) for returning the driving member 123A. The second detection switch 23B includes a driving member 123B provided to be reciprocable in the front-rear direction, a movable contact (not shown) and a fixed contact (not shown) that come into contact with and separate from each other as the driving member 123B reciprocates. And an elastic member (not shown) for returning the drive member 123B.

  A first operation piece 24A for operating the drive member 123A of the first detection switch 23A is projected on the left side of the front engine cover 12 as the combined body tilts leftward. A second operating piece 24B for operating the driving member 123B of the second switch 23B is protruded from the part.

  That is, when the operation unit 6 is tilted, the first or second detection switch 23A or 23B is operated by the operation piece 24A or 24B to turn on, and the tilt signal indicating the tilt direction of the operation unit 6 is It is output as a signal.

  The engine 7 is provided with the setting change command means, that is, a rotary encoder 18 (see FIG. 6). The rotary encoder 18 detects a rotation angle of the output shaft of the motor 8, in other words, a rotation angle of the operation unit 6, and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle as the setting change signal. Although not shown, the rotary encoder 18 includes a code plate and a photosensor, and the photosensor is accommodated in a box-shaped portion 10 </ b> A formed on the cover 10.

<1.2> Configuration of Display Device 30 The display device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The display device 30 includes the LCD 31, a second circuit board 32 to which a terminal 31 </ b> A of the LCD 31 is connected, and an LCD holder 34 to which the LCD 31 is fitted and fixed to the second circuit board 32. The front case 3 is formed with a window 3E that exposes the surface of the LCD 31.

  The second circuit board 32 is fastened to the front case 3 with screws 33. The second circuit board 32 is provided with an LCD driver 66 (see FIG. 6) for driving the LCD 31. The LCD drive unit 66 drives the LCD 31 in response to a control signal from the control device 60.

  The control device 60 outputs a control signal to the LCD drive unit 66 in accordance with the tilt direction detected by the first and second detection switches 23A and 23B and the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18. .

  The LCD 31 portion exposed from the window 3E of the front case 3 includes an air volume display area 40 for displaying the set air volume, a temperature display area 41 for displaying the set temperature, and an air outlet display area 42 for displaying the set air outlet. It is provided.

  The air volume display area 40 is provided with a fan-type segment 40A and six arc-shaped segments 40B to 40G surrounding the fan-type segment 40A so as to emit light. That is, it is displayed that the air volume display area 40 is emitted by the light emission of the fan-shaped segment 40A, and the size of the set air volume is light emission of only the arc-shaped segment 40B, light emission of the arc-shaped segments 40B and 40C, and arc-shaped segments 40B to 40D. Light emission, arc-shaped segments 40B to 40E, arc-shaped segments 40B to 40F, and arc-shaped segments 40B to 40G.

  The temperature display area 41 is provided with a number forming portion 41A capable of forming a 2-digit number by light emission of a plurality of segments. That is, the set temperature is displayed by a number formed by the number forming unit 41A. The set temperature is displayed in increments of 1 ° C. within a range of 16 ° C. to 30 ° C. according to the setting of the control device 60.

  The air outlet display area 42 includes a humanoid segment 42A, an arrow-shaped segment 42B extending upward of the humanoid segment 42A, an arrow-shaped segment 42C extending toward the middle of the humanoid segment 42A, and a humanoid segment An arrow-shaped segment 42D extending toward the lower end of 42A is provided so as to emit light. That is, the state set in the DEF outlet for blowing air toward the windshield is displayed by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42B, and the VENT outlet for blowing air toward the driver's face and trunk. The set state is displayed by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42C, and the state set to the FLOOR outlet for blowing air toward the feet is displayed by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42D.

  In addition, the ring segments 43 to 45 are provided around the air volume display area 40, the temperature display area 41, and the air outlet display area 42, respectively, so that they can emit light. In other words, the fact that the air volume of the three setting items has been selected is displayed by the light emission of the ring-shaped segment 43, the fact that the temperature has been selected is displayed by the light emission of the ring-shaped segment 44, and the air outlet has been selected. Is displayed by the ring-shaped segment 45.

  In addition, a triangular segment 46 with one vertex facing right is provided on the right side of the ring-shaped segment 44 so as to emit light. The left side of the ring-shaped segment 45 is provided with a triangular segment 47 with one vertex facing left, and the right side is provided with a triangular segment 48 with one vertex facing right. is there. On the left side of the ring segment 45, a triangular segment 49 having one vertex facing left is provided so as to emit light.

<1.3> Configuration of the Illuminating Device 35 The illuminating device 35 includes a red LED 35A that is a light emitting device that emits red light, a blue LED 35B that is a light emitting device that emits blue light, and a green light that emits green light. And a green LED 35C which is a light emitting device. Each LED 35A-35C is arrange | positioned at the LCD attachment hole 36A-36C formed in one side edge part of the LCD holder 34, for example, a right side edge part. The LEDs 35A to 35C are electrically connected to the second circuit board 32 via lead wires. The second circuit board 32 is provided with an LED driving unit 67 that causes the LEDs 35 </ b> A to 35 </ b> C to emit light. The LED driving unit 67 is driven in accordance with a control signal from the control device 60.

  A reflection plate 37 that reflects light is attached to the entire bottom surface of the LCD holder 34. Between the reflection plate 37 and the LCD 31, the light emitted from the LEDs 35 </ b> A to 35 </ b> C and the light reflected by the reflection plate 37 are guided to the back side of the LCD 31, and are guided by the light guide plate 38. Three diffusion sheets 39 </ b> A to 39 </ b> C for uniformly diffusing the emitted light with respect to the back surface of the LCD 31 are arranged.

<1.4> Configuration of Control Device 60 The configuration of the control device 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control device 60 is provided on the first circuit board 21, for example, and includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62 and a RAM 63, an EEPROM 64, and a communication driver 68. The control device 60 controls the control signal for the motor driver 65, the control signal for the LCD drive unit 66, the LED in response to the tilt signals from the first and second detection switches 23A and 23B and the rotation angle signal from the rotary encoder 18. Each of the control signal for the drive unit 67 and the command signal for the car air conditioner 100 is output.

  The CPU 61 determines target values for the motor driver 65, the LCD drive unit 66, and the LED drive unit 67 according to the tilt signals from the first and second detection switches 23A and 23B and the rotation angle signal from the rotary encoder 18, This is an arithmetic device that performs arithmetic operations for calculating command values for the car air conditioner 100 and arithmetic operations for controlling the entire control device 60.

  The ROM 62 activates the air conditioning setting device 1 in conjunction with the activation of the engine of the automobile, the control signal for the motor driver 65 according to the rotation angle signal and the tilt signal, the control signal for the LCD drive unit 66, and LED drive. It is a read-only storage device that stores a control signal for the unit 67 and a program for outputting each command signal for the car air conditioner 100. In the startup program, the temperature setting state can be changed.

  In the program for controlling the LED drive unit 67, it is specified that the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B emit light in a state where the temperature setting state can be changed (hereinafter referred to as “temperature setting mode”). One of the changeable state (hereinafter referred to as “air volume setting mode”) and the state where the air outlet setting state can be changed (hereinafter referred to as “air outlet setting mode”). On the other hand, that is, in the outlet setting mode, the red LED 35A, the blue LED 35B, and the green LED 35C are all designated to emit light.

  In the program for controlling the motor 8, the rotational force of the motor 8 corresponding to the rotational angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 is calculated for each setting mode, and a control signal corresponding to this rotational force is output to the motor driver 65. It has become.

  The RAM 63 is a storage device that temporarily stores values that are being processed by the CPU 61.

  The EEPROM 64 is a storage device capable of changing the stored contents, and the target value for the LCD drive unit 66, the target value for the LED drive unit 67, and the car air conditioner 100 corresponding to the setting states of the air volume, temperature, and air outlet, respectively. The command value etc. are memorized.

<2> Operation of Air Conditioning Setting Device 1 The operation of the air conditioning setting device 1 will be described.

<2.1> At the time of activation of the air conditioning setting device 1 The air conditioning setting device 1 is activated in conjunction with the activation of the engine of the automobile, and the control device 60 enters the temperature setting mode. At this time, the control device 60 is in a temperature setting mode for the LCD drive unit 66 of the display device 30 and the LED drive unit 67 of the illumination device 35, and the previously set temperature is, for example, 22 ° C. A control signal corresponding to that the previously set outlet is, for example, the VENT outlet is output.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 30 that operates in accordance with the control signal displays the number “22” indicating the previously set temperature of 22 ° C. in the temperature display area 41 of the LCD 31 by the number forming unit 41A. In the air volume display area 40, the air volume 0 is displayed by the light emission of only the fan-type segment 40A. Further, the VENT outlet, which is the previously set outlet, is displayed in the outlet display area 42 by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the display device 30 causes the ring segment 44 and the triangular segments 47 and 48 around the temperature display area 41 to emit light, and the ring segment 43 and the triangular segment around the air volume display area 40. 46, the ring-shaped segment 45 and the triangular segment 49 around the air outlet display area 42 are turned off. That is, the ring-shaped segment 44 indicates that the temperature setting mode is selected, and the triangular segments 47 and 48 indicate that switching to the air volume setting mode or the outlet setting mode is possible by tilting the operation unit 6 in the left-right direction. Is done.

  The lighting device 35 operated according to the control signal causes the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B to emit light. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the illumination light for the LCD 31, that is, the backlight turns purple. In FIG. 7, the broken line drawn on the window 3E indicates that the backlight is purple.

<2.2> During temperature setting The temperature setting operation is performed by rotating the operation unit 6 in the temperature setting mode described above.

  When the operation unit 6 is rotated to the right, the rotary encoder 18 detects the increasing rotation angle of the operation unit 6 and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle to the control device 60. The control device 60 calculates and processes the rotation angle signal as a setting change signal for instructing the change of the set temperature, and according to the increase in the rotation angle, the target value for the LCD driving unit 66, the target value for the LED driving unit 67, and the motor Each of the target values for the driver 65 is calculated, and control signals corresponding to these target values are output to the LCD driving unit 66, the LED driving unit 67, and the motor driver 65, respectively.

  Then, the display device 30 increases the value of the number formed by the number forming unit 41A in the temperature display area 41 every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by a predetermined angle. That is, every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by a predetermined angle, it is displayed that the set temperature has increased by 1 ° C.

  The lighting device 35 increases the luminance of the light emitted from the red LED 35A and decreases the luminance of the light emitted from the blue LED 35B every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the predetermined angle. As a result, the purple backlight is intensified in red each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the predetermined angle, and the number forming unit 41A forms the number “30” indicating 30 ° C., which is the upper limit value of the set temperature. When it is turned red. That is, as the backlight temperature increases, the red color increases as the set temperature increases.

  Further, the motor 8 instantaneously changes the rotational force every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the predetermined angle. When the rotational force changes instantaneously, a click feeling is generated in the operation unit 6. That is, the operator obtains a click feeling whenever the set temperature increases by 1 ° C.

  Further, when the number forming portion 41A reaches the number “30” in the temperature display area 41, the motor 8 generates a large rotational force that opposes the clockwise rotation operation. As a result, the operator is prevented from rotating the operation unit 6 to the right. That is, the fact that the set temperature has reached the upper limit of 30 ° C. is presented to the operator by preventing the operation unit 6 from rotating clockwise (force sense).

  When the operation unit 6 is rotated counterclockwise, the rotary encoder 18 detects a rotation angle of the operation unit 6 that decreases, and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle to the control device 60. The control device 60 performs arithmetic processing on the rotation angle signal as a setting change signal for instructing change of the set temperature, and according to the decrease of the rotation angle, the target value for the LCD driving unit 66, the target value for the LED driving unit 67, and the motor Each of the target values for the driver 65 is calculated, and control signals corresponding to these target values are output to the LCD driving unit 66, the LED driving unit 67, and the motor driver 65, respectively.

  Then, every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by a predetermined angle, the display device 30 decreases the value of the number formed by the number forming unit 41A in the temperature display area 41. That is, every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by a predetermined angle, it is displayed that the set temperature has decreased by 1 ° C.

  The lighting device 35 decreases the luminance of the light emitted from the red LED 35A and increases the luminance of the light emitted from the blue LED 35B each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the predetermined angle. As a result, the purple backlight increases each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the predetermined angle, and the number forming unit 41A displays the number “16” indicating the lower limit (16 ° C.) of the set temperature. When formed, it turns blue. That is, the color of the backlight becomes stronger as the set temperature decreases.

  Further, the motor 8 instantaneously changes the rotational force every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the predetermined angle. When the rotational force changes instantaneously, a click feeling is generated in the operation unit 6. That is, the operator obtains a click feeling whenever the set temperature decreases by 1 ° C.

  Further, when the number forming unit 41A forms the number “16” in the temperature display area 41, the motor 8 generates a large rotational force that counteracts the left rotation operation. As a result, the operator is prevented from performing the left rotation operation of the operation unit 6. In other words, the fact that the set temperature has reached the lower limit value of 16 ° C. is presented to the operator by blocking the left rotation operation of the operation unit 6 (force sense).

  When 2 seconds elapse without the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 changing, the control device 60 determines that the change of the set temperature has been completed, and the rotation detected by the rotary encoder 18 at the beginning of the temperature setting mode. A command value corresponding to the set temperature for the car air conditioner 100 is calculated from the difference between the angle and the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 at the end of changing the set temperature. Then, a command signal corresponding to the calculated command value is output to the car air conditioner 100 by the communication driver 68.

<2.3> At the time of air volume setting The air volume setting operation is performed by rotating the operation section 6 after tilting the operation section 6 leftward in the temperature setting mode to switch to the air volume setting mode.

  When the operation unit 6 is tilted to the left, the drive member 123A is pressed by the first operation piece 24A, and the first detection switch 23A is turned on. Then, the first detection switch 23 </ b> A outputs a left tilt signal indicating that the operation unit 6 has been tilted leftward to the control device 60. When the operation force on the operation unit 6 is removed and the driving member 123A is restored and the first detection switch 23A is turned OFF, the output of the left tilt signal from the first detection switch 23A to the control device 60 is stopped.

  The control device 60 calculates the left tilt signal output from the first detection switch 23A in the temperature setting mode as a switching signal for instructing switching from the temperature setting mode to the air volume setting mode, and switches to the air volume setting mode. A control signal corresponding to the air volume setting mode is output to the LCD drive unit 66 of the display device 30 and the LED drive unit 67 of the illumination device 35.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the display device 30 operated in accordance with the control signal displays the air volume 0 in the air volume display area 40 by the light emission of only the fan-type segment 40A as in the temperature setting mode described above. In the temperature display area 41, the number “20” indicating the temperature set as described above, for example, 20 ° is displayed by the number forming unit 41A. Further, the outlet display area 42 displays that the VENT outlet is set by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42A as in the temperature setting mode described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the display device 30 causes the ring segment 43 and the triangular segment 46 around the air volume display area 40 to emit light, and at the same time, the ring segment 44 and the triangular segment around the temperature display area 41. 47 and 48 are turned off. That is, the air volume setting mode is displayed by the ring segment 43, and the triangular segment 46 indicates that it can be switched to the temperature setting mode by tilting the operation unit 6 to the right.

  Moreover, the illuminating device 35 operated according to the control signal causes only the green LED 35C to emit light. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the backlight of the LCD 31 becomes green. In FIG. 8, the slanted line drawn on the window 3E indicates that the backlight is green.

  When the operation unit 6 is rotated to the right, the rotary encoder 18 detects the increasing rotation angle of the operation unit 6 and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle to the control device 60. The control device 60 calculates the rotation angle signal as a setting change signal for instructing the change of the set air volume, and according to the increase of the rotation angle, the target value for the LCD driving unit 66, the target value for the LED driving unit 67, and the motor Each of the target values for the driver 65 is calculated, and control signals corresponding to these target values are output to the LCD driving unit 66, the LED driving unit 67, and the motor driver 65, respectively.

  As a result, the display device 30 causes the arc-shaped bars 40B to 40G in the air volume display area 40 each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by a predetermined angle that is different during both the air volume setting operation and the air outlet setting operation described later. Are emitted in the order of 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, and 40G. That is, every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the different predetermined angle, an increase in the set air volume is displayed by an increase in the number of arc-shaped bars that emit light.

  Moreover, the illuminating device 35 increases the luminance of the light emitted from the green LED 35C each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the different predetermined angle. As a result, the green backlight becomes brighter in green each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the different predetermined angle, and when the arc-shaped segment 40G in the air volume display area 40 emits light, that is, maximum When the air volume is set, it is brightest. That is, the green backlight becomes brighter in conjunction with the increase in the set air volume.

  Further, the motor 8 instantaneously changes the rotational force every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases by the different predetermined angle. When the rotational force changes instantaneously, a click feeling is generated in the operation unit 6. That is, the operator obtains a click feeling every time the set air volume increases by one step.

  Further, when all of the arc-shaped segments 40B to 40G emit light and the maximum air volume is displayed in the air volume display area 40, the motor 8 generates a large rotational force that opposes the clockwise rotation operation. As a result, the operator is prevented from rotating the operation unit 6 to the right. That is, the fact that the maximum air volume has been set is presented to the operator by the prevention (force sense) of the right rotation operation of the operation unit 6.

  When the operation unit 6 is rotated counterclockwise, the rotary encoder 18 detects a rotation angle of the operation unit 6 that decreases, and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the rotation angle to the control device 60. The control device 60 computes the rotation angle signal as a setting change signal for instructing a change in the set air volume, and according to the decrease in the rotation angle, the target value for the LCD driving unit 66, the target value for the LED driving unit 67, the motor driver Each of the target values for 65 is calculated, and control signals corresponding to each of these target values are output to the LCD driver 66, the LED driver 67, and the motor driver 65, respectively.

  Thereby, when the display device 30 starts the left rotation operation of the operation unit 6 at the beginning, for example, when all of the arc-shaped segments 40D to 40G emit light, the display device 30 every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the different predetermined angle. Each time, the arc-shaped bars 40B to 40G are turned off in the order of 40G, 40F, 40E, 40D, 40C, and 40B. That is, every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the different predetermined angle, the decrease in the set air volume is displayed by the decrease in the number of arc-shaped bars that emit light.

  Moreover, the illuminating device 35 reduces the brightness | luminance of the light which green LED35C light-emits whenever the rotation angle of the operation part 6 reduces the said different predetermined angle. As a result, the green backlight becomes darker each time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the different predetermined angle, and the most when the air volume 0 is displayed by the light emission of only the fan-type segment 40A. Get dark. That is, the green backlight becomes dark in conjunction with the small set air volume.

  Further, the motor 8 instantaneously changes the rotational force every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 decreases by the different predetermined angle. When the rotational force changes instantaneously, a click feeling is generated in the operation unit 6. That is, the operator obtains a click feeling every time the set air volume decreases by one step.

  When the air volume 0 is displayed in the air volume display area 40, the motor 8 generates a large rotational force that counteracts the left rotation operation. As a result, the operator is prevented from rotating the operation unit 6 to the right. That is, the fact that the set air volume has become zero is presented to the operator by preventing the operation unit 6 from rotating counterclockwise.

  When 2 seconds elapse without the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 changing, the control device 60 determines that the change of the set air volume has been completed, and the rotary encoder 18 detects it at the beginning of switching to the air volume setting mode. A command value corresponding to the set air volume for the car air conditioner 100 is calculated from the difference between the rotation angle and the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 at the end of changing the set air volume. Then, a command signal corresponding to the calculated command value is output to the car air conditioner 100 by the communication driver 68.

  When the output of the command signal by the communication driver 68 is finished, the control device 60 performs a calculation for shifting to the temperature setting mode, and returns to the temperature setting mode.

<2.4> At the time of air outlet setting The air outlet setting operation is performed by rotating the operation portion 6 after the operation portion 6 is tilted to the right and switched to the air outlet setting mode in the temperature setting mode. Do.

  When the operation unit 6 is tilted to the right, the driving member 123B is pressed by the second operation piece 24B, and the second detection switch 23B is turned ON. Then, the first detection switch 23 </ b> B outputs a right tilt signal indicating that the operation unit 6 has been tilted in the right direction to the control device 60. When the operation force on the operation unit 6 is removed and the driving member 123B is restored and the second detection switch 23B is turned OFF, the output of the right tilt signal from the second detection switch 23B to the control device 60 is stopped.

  The control device 60 computes the output of the right tilt signal from the second detection switch 23B in the temperature setting mode as a switching signal instructing switching from the temperature setting mode to the outlet setting mode, and switches to the air volume setting mode. At the same time, a control signal corresponding to the air volume setting mode is output to the LCD drive unit 66 of the display device 30 and the LED drive unit 67 of the illumination device 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 30 operated according to the control signal displays in the air outlet display area 42 that the VENT air outlet is set as in the temperature setting mode by the light emission of the arrow-shaped segment 42C. In the temperature display area 41, “20” indicating 20 ° C., which is the temperature set as described above, is displayed by the number forming unit 41A. Further, the air volume set as described above is displayed in the air volume display area 40 by, for example, light emission of the arc-shaped segments 40B and 40C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the display device 30 causes the ring-shaped segment 45 and the triangular segment 49 around the outlet display area 42 to emit light, and at the same time, the ring-shaped segment 44 and the triangular segment around the temperature display area 41. The segments 47 and 48 are turned off. That is, the ring-shaped segment 45 indicates that it is in the outlet setting mode, and the triangular segment 49 indicates that it is possible to switch to the temperature setting mode by tilting the operation unit 6 leftward.

  Moreover, the illuminating device 35 which operate | moved according to the control signal light-emits all red LED35A, blue LED35B, and green LED. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the backlight is white. In FIG. 9, the window 3E is not drawn with broken lines or diagonal lines as in FIGS. 7 and 8, but this indicates that the backlight is white.

  When the operation unit 6 is rotated, the rotary encoder 18 detects the changing rotation angle of the operation unit 6 and outputs a rotation angle signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle to the control device 60. The control device 60 computes the rotation angle signal as a setting change signal for instructing to change the setting air outlet, and according to the change of the rotation angle, the target value for the LCD driving unit 66, the target value for the LED driving unit 67, the motor Each of the target values for the driver 65 is calculated, and control signals corresponding to each of these target values are output to the LCD driver 66, the LED driver 67, and the motor driver 65, respectively.

  Accordingly, the display device 30 causes any one of the arrow-shaped segments 42 </ b> B to 42 </ b> D of the air outlet display area 42 to emit light according to the rotation angle of the operation unit 6. That is, when the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 increases, the arrow-shaped segment that emits light changes from 42C (only the VENT outlet) to 42D each time the predetermined angle is increased, which is different between the temperature setting operation and the air volume setting operation. (FLOOR outlet only), 42B (DEF outlet only), 42B and 42D combination (DEF outlet and FLOOR outlet), 42C and 42D combination (VENT outlet and FLOOR outlet). On the contrary, when the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 is decreased, every time the different predetermined angle is decreased, the arrow-shaped segment that emits light changes from 42C (VENT outlet only) to 42C and 42D combination (VENT outlet and FLOOR outlet). Outlet), combination of 42B and 42D (DEF outlet and FLOOR outlet), 42B (DEF outlet only), and 42D (FLOOR outlet only).

  Further, the motor 8 instantaneously changes the rotational force every time the rotation angle of the operation unit 6 changes by the different predetermined angle. When the rotational force changes instantaneously, a click feeling is generated in the operation unit 6. In other words, the operator can make the light emitting arrow-shaped segment 42C (VENT outlet only), 42D (FLOOR outlet only), 42B (DEF outlet only), a combination of 42B and 42D (DEF outlet and FLOOR outlet). ), And 42C and 42D (VENT blower outlet and FLOOR blower outlet), when switching to each, a click feeling is obtained.

  When the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 does not change and 2 seconds have elapsed, the control device 60 determines that the change of the set outlet has been completed, and is detected by the rotary encoder 18 at the beginning of switching to the outlet setting mode. The command value corresponding to the set air outlet for the car air conditioner 100 is calculated from the difference between the rotation angle and the rotation angle detected by the rotary encoder 18 at the end of the change of the set air outlet. Then, a command signal corresponding to the calculated command value is output to the car air conditioner 100 by the communication driver 68.

  When the output of the command signal by the communication driver 68 ends, the control device 60 performs a calculation for shifting to the temperature setting mode, and returns to the temperature setting mode.

  In the air outlet setting mode, the color and brightness of the backlight do not change. Further, the motor 8 is used only for generating a click feeling, and the rotation operation of the operation unit 6 is not prevented.

<3> Effects of this Embodiment According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the backlight color in the temperature setting mode, the backlight color in the air volume setting mode, and the backlight color in the outlet setting mode can all be different colors. That is, the temperature setting mode, the air volume setting mode, and the air outlet setting mode can be identified by the color of the backlight. As a result, it is possible to contribute to prompt identification of whether the setting state relating to the temperature, the air volume, or the air outlet is changeable.

  In the present embodiment, in the temperature setting mode, the red color of the backlight is increased as the set temperature increases, and the blue color of the backlight is increased as the set temperature is decreased. Thereby, the change of preset temperature can be alert | reported by the change of the color of a backlight.

  In the present embodiment, in the air volume setting mode, the green backlight is brightened in conjunction with an increase in the set air volume, and the green backlight is dimmed in conjunction with a decrease in the set air volume. . Thereby, the change of setting air volume can be alert | reported by the brightness of a backlight.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the temperature setting mode, the change in the set temperature is notified by the change in the color of the backlight. At this time, in order to make it easy to imagine the change in the set temperature, the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B Each of these controls the backlight color. For this reason, the red, blue, and purple colors that can be generated by the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B cannot be used for the backlight color in the air volume setting mode and the air outlet setting mode. Therefore, in the present embodiment, two colors different from the three colors of red, blue, and purple, that is, white and green, respectively, are used for single emission of the green LED 35C and combined emission of the green LED 35C, the red LED 35A, and the blue LED 35C. It is made to generate by. Thus, in order to generate two colors different from red, blue, and purple, it is not necessary to provide two LEDs that respectively emit light of these two colors, and the backlight of the two colors is generated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of parts from increasing.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 35 generates one color of the backlight by the light emission of the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B, and another color of the backlight by the light emission of the green LED 35C, and the red LED 35A and the blue LED 35B. Further, another one color of the backlight is generated by the light emission of the green LED 35C and the type of the backlight color is three. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the red LED 35A, the blue LED 35B, and the green color are not limited thereto. The LEDs 35C may emit light one by one to generate three colors of light.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination device 35 generates the three-color backlight by the three light emitting devices, that is, the red LED 35A, the blue LED 35B, and the green LED 35C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, only two light emitting devices that emit light of different colors may be provided, and three color backlights may be generated by these two light emitting devices.

  In the present embodiment, the three-color backlight is generated in correspondence with the display of the three setting items. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting items to be displayed are two. In such a case, the control device 60 may be set so that a backlight of two colors is generated. If there are more than three setting items to be displayed, a backlight of more than three colors is generated. What is necessary is just to set the control apparatus 60 so that it may be carried out.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the backlight color is changed for each setting state related to each of the three setting items. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The control device 60 may be set so that the backlight has the same color for the two and the backlight has a different color for the remaining one.

It is a front view of one embodiment of an air-conditioning setting device of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the apparatus of the air-conditioning setting apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. It is IV-IV sectional drawing of FIG. It is VV sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the air-conditioning setting apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the color of the illumination light of the display surface in the state which can change the setting state of temperature. It is a figure which shows the color of the illumination light of the display surface in the state which can change the setting state of an air volume. It is a figure which shows the color of the illumination light of a display surface in the state which can change the setting state of a blower outlet.

Explanation of symbols

1 Air-conditioning setting device 5 Input device 18 Rotary encoder (setting change command means)
23A First detection switch (switching command means)
23B second detection switch (switching command means)
30 Display device (display means)
31 LCD (display surface)
35 Illumination device (illumination means)
35A Red LED
35B Blue LED
35C Green LED
40 Air volume display area 41 Temperature display area 42 Air outlet display area 60 Control device (display control means, illumination control means)
100 car air conditioner

Claims (1)

A display means having a display surface for displaying the temperature, the second setting item, and the third setting item, which are the first setting items of the air conditioner, and the respective setting states of these setting items;
A switching instruction means for outputting a switching signal for instructing to switch the setting state of the temperature, the setting state of the second setting item, and the setting state of the third setting item to a state that can be selectively changed;
A setting change command means for outputting a setting change signal for instructing a change in the setting state that has been changed to be changeable;
Display control means for controlling the display means in response to the switching signal and the setting change signal;
An illuminating means having a red light emitting device, a blue light emitting device, and a green light emitting device, and illuminating the display surface by at least one of these light emission;
An air conditioning setting device comprising illumination control means for controlling the color of illumination light emitted by the illumination means,
In the state in which the temperature setting state can be changed, only the red light emitting device and the blue light emitting device emit light, and the lighting control means can change the setting state of the second setting item and the third setting. In one of the states in which the setting state of the item can be changed, only the green light emitting device emits light, and on the other hand, the red light emitting device, the blue light emitting device, and the green light emitting device all emit light and become white. An air conditioning setting device characterized by controlling the means.

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