JP5204163B2 - Interface device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface device in which an operation knob that outputs an operation command signal to an in-vehicle device such as a navigation system mounted on a vehicle is supported by an operation knob support.

  In order to output operation command signals to in-vehicle devices such as vehicle audio devices, a plurality of switches are placed adjacent to the fixed or rotating palm rest provided on the instrument panel, and the passenger puts his palm on the palm rest. The one that operates the switch with a fingertip is known from the following permissible document 1.

JP 2003-72486 A

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, when the palm rest is fixed, if the positional relationship between the palm rest and the palm is shifted, the positional relationship between the fingertip and the switch is shifted. If it is not operated after visually confirming, there is a possibility that an erroneous operation may occur, and there is a problem that operability and reliability deteriorate. Further, when the palm rest is a rotary type, the positional relationship between the palm rest and the switch greatly changes, and there is a problem that an erroneous operation is more likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the operability of an interface device having an operation knob for outputting an operation command signal to an in-vehicle device.

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the interface device in which the operation knob that outputs the operation command signal to the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle is supported by the operation knob support portion, L1 is L1, and the distance between the lower end of the operation knob and the member below it is L2, L1> L2 is established, and the operation knob puts the occupant's finger in front of the palm rest on the rear side. L3> 2 when a finger rest part is provided, the length of the palm rest part in the front-rear direction is L3, and the length of the finger rest part is the front-rear direction length L4 of the scroll switch provided on the operation knob. × L4 is established, and on the operation knob, to place the switch which outputs an operation command signal to the vehicle-mounted device is operated by a fingertip in a state of placing the palm the palm rest portion, the switch is on the front of the operating knob The main switch is operated by the middle finger and the index finger, and sub switches provided on both the left and right sides of the operation knob and pressed by the other fingers, respectively. There is proposed an interface device comprising the scroll switch and an execution switch that can be pressed so as to be in contact with the pair of left and right scroll switches .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the in-vehicle device is a navigation system, and the operation knob tilts in the front / rear / left / right direction to output an operation command signal to the navigation system. together, and outputs an operation command signal to the navigation system by the operation of said switch, the interface apparatus characterized by moving in the longitudinal and lateral directions on a map image of a navigation system in operation command signal by tilting of the operating knob is proposed.

  The base plate 18 of the embodiment corresponds to the operation knob support member of the present invention, and the main switch 31 and the sub switch 32 of the embodiment correspond to the switch of the present invention.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, when the height of the operation knob is L1 and the distance between the lower end of the operation knob and the member below the operation knob is L2, L1> L2 is established. It is possible to achieve compactness by preventing a large protrusion from the lower member. In addition, the operation knob includes a finger rest portion for placing the occupant's finger in front of the palm rest portion on the rear side, and the length of the palm rest portion in the front-rear direction is L3. When the diameter of the provided scroll switch is L4, L3> 2 × L4 is satisfied, so that the dimensions of the palm rest portion can be sufficiently secured, and the scroll switch can be smoothly rotated with the fingertip. .

In addition, the main switch provided on the front face of the operation knob is composed of a pair of left and right scroll switches that can be rotated together with the middle finger or the index finger, and an execution switch that can be pressed so as to be in contact with the pair of left and right scroll switches. Since the sub switches provided on the left and right side surfaces of the operation knob can be pressed with other fingers, it is possible to easily and smoothly operate the four types of switches with a plurality of fingers including the middle finger and the index finger. The occurrence of erroneous operations can be prevented more reliably.

According to the second aspect, since when tilting the operating knob in the longitudinal and lateral directions map image of the navigation system is moved in the longitudinal and lateral directions, as well as the movement of the map image is extremely easy, set the operation knob Since the operation command signal can be output by operating the digit switch, the navigation system can be easily operated .

Perspective view of the front part of the car compartment 2 direction enlarged view of FIG. 3 direction arrow view of FIG. 4 direction view of FIG. Sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 6-6 sectional view of FIG. Sectional view along line 7-7 in FIG. 8-8 sectional view of FIG. Sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. The figure corresponding to Drawing 9 showing the modification of a guide groove Graph showing the relationship between the tilt angle of the control knob and the load Illustration of functions of main switch and sub switch The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 2 based on 2nd Example. 14 direction arrow view of FIG. Sectional view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. Perspective view of main switch and slide member

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 12 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front part of a passenger compartment of an automobile, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in two directions of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken in line 6-6 in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 10 shows a modification of the guide groove, corresponding to FIG. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the tilt angle of the operation knob and the load, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the functions of the main switch and the sub switch.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a shift lever 14 is disposed on the upper surface of a center console 13 extending in the front-rear direction between a driver's seat 11 and a passenger seat 12 of a passenger car, and an interface device 15 is disposed behind the shift lever 14. Is done.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the interface device 15 includes a box-shaped casing 16 and a cover 17 that covers an upper surface of the box-shaped casing 16, and a base plate 18 is interposed in the casing 16 through four support legs 19. Supported. A frame-shaped outer gimbal 22 is supported between the pair of front and rear columns 20, 20 erected on the upper surface of the base plate 18 via pins 21, 21 so as to be able to swing left and right. A plate-like inner gimbal 24 is supported through a pair of pins 23 and 23 so as to be swingable back and forth. Therefore, the inner gimbal 24 can swing back and forth and right and left with respect to the base plate 18.

  An upper support shaft 24a and a lower support shaft 24b protrude in the vertical direction from the center of the inner gimbal 24. The lower end inner periphery of the rotary shaft 25 is rotatably fitted to the upper end outer periphery of the upper support shaft 24a and is removed by a bolt 26. Stopped. The upper half of the rotating shaft 25 protrudes upward through an opening 17 a formed in the cover 17. The upper knob half 27 and the lower knob half 28 are fitted so as to sandwich the protrusion 25a protruding rearward from the upper end of the rotating shaft 25 from above and below, and are fastened together by bolts 29 and 29. The upper knob half 27 and the lower knob half 28 cooperate to form a spherical operation knob 30, and this operation knob 30 is connected to the base plate 18 via the rotation shaft 25. Can tilt left and right.

  In this embodiment, the diameter of the operation knob 30 is 80 mm. By adopting this dimension, the operation knob 30 can be easily grasped by a human hand. The operation knob 30 includes a rear palm rest portion 30a and a front finger rest portion 30b, and the boundary between the palm rest portion 30a and the finger rest portion 30b is a point P in FIG. The point P is a portion corresponding to the index finger and the middle finger and the base when the operation knob 30 is naturally gripped.

  A main switch 31 is provided on the front surface of the operation knob 30, and a pair of sub switches 32, 32 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the operation knob 30. The main switch 31 includes a scroll switch 33 and an execution switch 34. The scroll switch 33 divided into right and left is rotatable around a support shaft 35 supported at the front end of the rotary shaft 25, and is divided into two. The execution switch 34 sandwiched between 33 is swingable backward around a support shaft 36 disposed above the support shaft 35 of the scroll switch 33. The rotation angle of the scroll switch 33 is detected by a rotary encoder 37 provided between the support shaft 35 and the rotation shaft 25, and the operation of the execution switch 34 is detected by a switch element 38 provided on the rotation shaft 25. The left and right sub-switches 32 and 32 mainly serve as cancel switches, and their operations are detected by switch elements 39 and 39 provided on the rotary shaft 25.

  A partially spherical recess 18a is formed in the center of the base plate 18, and star-shaped guide grooves 18b extending radially in eight directions are formed in the recess 18a. A sliding member 40 is accommodated in a hollow portion 24c formed inside the lower support shaft 24b of the inner gimbal 24, and the sliding member 40 has a hemispherical sliding portion 40a formed at the lower end thereof. It is urged downward by the spring 41 so as to come into contact with 18b.

  The shape of each guide groove 18b is simply tapered from the radially inner side to the outer side in the first embodiment of FIG. 9, and in the modified example of FIG. Is a constant width and then tapers.

  A disc-shaped click plate 42 is integrally formed at the lower end of the rotating shaft 25, and seven click holes 42 a... Are formed on the lower surface of the rotating shaft 25 around the rotating shaft 25. One click hole 42b is formed on the inner side in the radial direction of each click hole 42a. An intermediate portion of the ball holder 44 is pivotally supported on the inner gimbal 24 via a support shaft 43 so that the ball 45 housed in the ball holder 44 can be fitted into any of the click holes 42a. It is biased by a spring 46. A solenoid 47 supported on the lower surface of the inner gimbal 24 and a lower end of the ball holder 44 are connected by a rod 48. When the solenoid 47 is driven to extend and contract to swing the ball holder 44 around the support shaft 43, the ball 45 is It is possible to move to a radially outer position that fits into the click holes 42a and a radially inner position that fits into the click holes 42b. A rotation angle of the rotary shaft 25 with respect to the inner gimbal 24 is detected by a rotary encoder 49.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  The operation knob 30 can be tilted in eight directions including front, rear, right, left, right front, left front, right rear, and left rear, which are directions of the base member 18 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This corresponds to the direction in which the guide groove 18b of the recess 18a extends. That is, when the operation knob 30 supported to be tiltable via the outer gimbal 22 and the inner gimbal 24 is in the neutral position, the operation knob 30 protrudes downward from the lower support shaft 24b integral with the operation knob 24 by the elastic force of the spring 41. The sliding portion 40a of the sliding member 40 is engaged with the center of the star-shaped guide groove 18b in a stable state, whereby the operation knob 30 is held in the neutral position. When the operation knob 30 is released at the tilted position, it returns to the neutral position by a return means (not shown).

  When the operation knob 30 is tilted in one of the eight directions from this state, the sliding portion 40a of the sliding member 40 is guided from the radially inner side to the outer side along the tapered guide groove 18b. As the groove width of 18 b becomes narrower, the sliding member 40 is pushed into the hollow portion 24 c of the lower support shaft 24 b against the elastic force of the spring 41, so that a predetermined load is applied to the tilt of the operation knob 30. Occur.

  The solid line in FIG. 11 corresponds to the guide groove 18b (first embodiment) in FIG. 9, and the load increases linearly as the tilt angle of the operation knob 30 increases, and the sliding portion 40a passes through the guide groove 18b. If you get over the load, the load will be constant.

  The broken line in FIG. 11 corresponds to the guide groove 18b in FIG. 10 (modified example of the first embodiment), and the sliding portion 40a is related to the parallel portion of the guide groove 18b as the tilt angle of the operation knob 30 increases. The load increases linearly until they are matched, and the load is maintained at a constant value while the sliding portion 40a slides on the parallel portion of the guide groove 18b, and the sliding portion 40a slides on the tapered portion of the guide groove 18b. In the meantime, the load increases linearly, and when the sliding portion 40a passes over the guide groove 18b, the load becomes a constant value.

  As described above, moderation is given to the tilt of the operation knob 30 according to the shape of the guide groove 18b to enhance the operation feeling, and even when the operation knob 30 is operated in a direction shifted from eight directions, the guide groove 18b The operation knob 30 can be guided in the correct direction by the action.

  When the operation knob 30 is tilted in eight directions in this way, a contact (not shown) is closed and a signal corresponding to the tilt direction is output to the control means.

  When the operation knob 30 is rotated left and right, the rotation shaft 25 integral with the operation knob 30 rotates with respect to the upper support shaft 24 a, so that the click plate 42 integral with the rotation shaft 25 is relative to the inner gimbal 24. Rotate. When the solenoid 47 is extended by the operation of a switch (not shown) and the ball holder 44 swings to the clockwise position in FIG. 5, the position of the ball 45 moves radially inward. The operation knob 30 is stably held at the neutral position in the rotational direction by fitting into one click hole 42b on the radially inner side. When the operation knob 30 is rotated in the left-right direction from this state, a load is generated when the ball 45 is released from the click hole 42b against the spring force of the spring 46, so that the operation knob 30 can be moved from the neutral position. Moderation can be given to rotation.

  Further, when the solenoid 47 contracts due to the operation of a switch (not shown) and the ball holder 44 swings to the counterclockwise position in FIG. 5, the position of the ball 45 moves outward in the radial direction. The operation knob 30 is stably held at the seven positions in the rotation direction by fitting into any of the seven click holes 42a. When the operation knob 30 is rotated in the left-right direction, a load is generated when the ball 45 is released from the click hole 42 a against the spring force of the spring 46, thereby giving moderation to the rotation of the operation knob 30. Can do.

  When the operation knob 30 rotates in this way, the rotary encoder 49 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation position to the control device. Note that the limit position of the rotation angle of the operation knob 30 is 25 ° to the left and right across the neutral position. When the operation knob 30 is released after the operation knob 30 is operated, the return means (not shown) automatically returns to the neutral position. Return to. Since the rotatable range of the operation knob 30 is limited to 25 degrees on each side of the neutral position, the occupant can operate without changing the operation knob 30 and the operability is improved.

  When the occupant grips the operation knob 30, the palm is supported by the palm rest portion 30a of the operation knob 30, and the middle finger and the index finger are supported by the finger rest portion 30b in front of the palm rest portion 30a. In this state, since the tip of the middle finger and the index finger hits the main switch 31, the scroll switch 33 can be smoothly rotated and the execution switch 34 can be depressed, and the left and right sub-switches 32, 32 can be pushed with the thumb or ring finger. The lowering operation can be performed smoothly.

  As is clear from FIG. 5, when the operation knob 30 is gripped and tilted, a space is secured around the opening 17a of the cover 17 so that the fingertip is not sandwiched between the lower end of the operation knob 30 and the cover 17. A recess 17b is formed for this purpose. When the height in the vertical direction of the operation knob 30 is L1, and the height between the lower end of the operation knob 30 and the deepest portion of the recess 17b is L2, L1> L2 is established. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation knob 30 from protruding greatly from the cover 17 and to prevent the operation of the shift lever 14 from being obstructed.

  If the length of the operation knob 30 including the main switch 31 is L3, and the length of the finger rest portion 30b (= the diameter of the main switch 31) is L4, L3 and L4 may be L3. The relationship> 2 × L4 is established. Thereby, not only can the palm rest 30a of the operation knob 30 be sufficiently dimensioned to support the palm stably, but also the main switch 31 (especially the scroll switch 33) can be operated smoothly.

  As described above, the main switch 31 and the sub switches 32 and 32 are provided on the operation knob 30 that outputs a signal by tilting in the eight directions and rotating within a range of 25 ° to the left and right around its own axis. Many commands can be output by combining the signal based on the attitude (position) of the operation knob 30 and the signal based on the operation of the main switch 31 and the sub switches 32 and 32. Since the operation switch 30 is provided with the main switch 31 and the sub switches 32 and 32, when the operation knob 30 is grasped, the fingertip naturally reaches the main switch 31 and the sub switches 32 and 32. It is possible to easily operate without searching for the positions of the switches 32 and 32, and it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous operation.

  Next, functions of the interface device 15 will be described.

  The interface device 15 controls a plurality of systems such as a navigation system, an audio system, and an air conditioner system by a combination of operations of the operation knob 30, the main switch 31, and the sub switches 32 and 32 through a monitor screen.

  The main switch 31 calls the menu screen from the initial screen when the execution switch 34 is pressed, selects an item by rotating the scroll switch 33, and makes a determination by pressing the execution switch 34. The sub-switches 32 and 32 switch the menu screen sequentially, function as a cancel switch when transitioning to the lower layer screen, and, when transitioning to the multi-level lower layer screen, press and hold to switch to the menu screen at once. Functions as a cancel switch to return.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, when the main switch 31 (execution switch 34) is depressed from the initial screen of the monitor, the uppermost screen (navigation main screen) of the navigation system is displayed, and the sub switches 32 and 32 are displayed. When is pushed down, the top layer screen of the navigation system → the top layer screen of the audio system (audio interrupt screen) → the top layer screen of the air conditioner system (air conditioner interrupt screen) is sequentially displayed.

  When the main switch 31 is depressed from the top layer screen (navigation main screen) of the navigation system, the second layer screen (navigation menu screen) of the navigation system is displayed. When the main switch 31 is depressed further, the navigation system is displayed. The third layer screen (navigation submenu screen) is displayed.

  When the main switch 31 is depressed from the top layer screen (audio interrupt screen) of the audio system, the second layer screen (audio main screen) of the audio system is displayed. When the main switch 31 is depressed further, the audio switch The third layer screen (audio sub-screen) of the system is displayed.

  When the main switch 31 is depressed from the uppermost screen (air conditioner interrupt screen) of the airco system, the second layer screen (air conditioner main screen) of the air conditioner system is displayed. When the main switch 31 is depressed further, the air conditioner is displayed. The third layer screen (air conditioner sub screen) of the system is displayed.

  On the other hand, each time the sub switches 32 and 32 are depressed instead of the main switch 31, the lower screen is switched to the upper screen, and finally the screen is returned to the uppermost screen. Further, when the sub switches 32 and 32 are pressed for a long time (2 seconds or more), it is possible to return from the lower layer screen to the uppermost screen all at once. As described above, since the two types of functions are exhibited depending on the length of time for which the sub-switches 32 and 32 are pressed down, the increase in the number of switches can be suppressed and the operability can be improved.

  Furthermore, by simultaneously operating the main switch 31 and the sub switches 32 and 32, the following various functions can be exhibited without increasing the number of switches.

When the main switch 31 (execution switch 34) is pressed down and the sub switches 32 and 32 are pressed down simultaneously,
Example 1: Single function assignment-Assigning frequently used functions freely in each screen operation-On the map screen, switching between the vehicle position upper display and the north upper display Example 2: Menu call-Separate from the normal menu Call the menu-Call the menu that can be freely customized on the map function screen-Call the function setting screen on the audio screen Simultaneously rotate the main switch 31 (scroll switch 33) and press the sub switches 32 and 32 If you do
Example 1: Assigning shortcuts-Directly calling a specific single function that requires selection operation below the hierarchy-Calling a phonebook (selection operation required) directly on any screen Example 2: Analog quantitative operation-Each screen operation In the map screen, adjust the angle on the map screen, adjust the air volume on the air conditioner screen, etc. The tilting operation of the operation knob 30 in eight directions can be done by scrolling the navigation screen in any direction, It is used for changing the source of the audio screen and switching the function of the air conditioner screen, and the turning operation of the operation knob 30 is used for volume adjustment on the navigation screen and audio screen, temperature adjustment on the air conditioner screen, air volume adjustment, and the like.

  FIGS. 13 to 16 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 14 in FIG. 13, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the main switch and the slide member. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are assigned to the members corresponding to the members of the first embodiment, and the duplicate description is omitted.

  Although the operation knob 30 of the first embodiment is generally spherical, the operation knob 30 of the second embodiment has a flat shape in the vertical direction. The dimension of the operation knob 30 in the front-rear direction is 80 mm, the same as in the first embodiment. When the height in the vertical direction of the operation knob 30 is L1, and the height between the lower end of the operation knob 30 and the upper surface of the cover 17 is L2, L1> L2 is established. If the length of the operation knob 30 including the main switch 31 is L3 and the length of the finger rest portion 30b is L4, a relationship of L3> 2 × L4 is established between L3 and L4. To do. The size relationship between these dimensions L1 to L4 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the main switch 31 except that the shape of the operation knob 30 is different from that in the first embodiment. The main switch 31 of the first embodiment is such that the scroll switch 33 rotates on the spot and the execution switch 34 is depressed separately from the scroll switch 33, but the main switch 31 of the second embodiment is the scroll switch. 33 and the execution switch 34 rotate together and are pushed down together.

  That is, the second embodiment includes a slide member 54 in which a pair of side members 51, 51 are connected by a front cross member 52 and a rear cross member 53, and between the side members 51, 51 at the front end of the slide member 54. The main switch 31 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 55 and the rotation of the support shaft 55 is detected by the rotary encoder 49. The slide member 54 is supported by a slide guide 56 formed inside the operation knob 30 so as to be slidable back and forth. The slide member 54 is interposed between the rear cross member 53 of the slide member 54 and the rear end of the slide guide 56. A spring 57 that biases forward is disposed, and a switch element 38 is provided on the slide guide 56 so as to face the rear surface of the front cross member 52. The other structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  When the main switch 31 is rotated, the rotation angle is detected by the rotary encoder 49. When the main switch 31 is pressed down, the slide member 54 moves backward along the slide guide 56, and the front cross member 52 is switched. The pressing of the main switch 31 is detected by pressing the element 38.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can perform a various design change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, in the embodiment, the front-rear direction dimension of the operation knob 30 is 80 mm, but good operability can be obtained in the range of 75 mm to 85 mm.

18 Base plate (operation knob support)
30 Operation knob 30a Palm rest part 30b Finger rest part 31 Main switch (switch)
32 Sub-switch (switch)
33 Scroll switch
34 execution switch

Claims (2)

In an interface device in which an operation knob (30) that outputs an operation command signal to an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle is supported by an operation knob support (18).
When the height of the operation knob (30) is L1, and the distance between the lower end of the operation knob (30) and the member (17) below it is L2,
L1> L2
Is established,
The operation knob (30) includes a finger rest (30b) for placing an occupant's finger in front of the rear palm rest (30a). The length of the palm rest (30a) in the front-rear direction is L3. When the diameter of the scroll switch (33) provided on the operation knob (30) is L4, the length in the front-rear direction of the portion (30b),
L3> 2 × L4
Is established ,
And on the operation knob (30), switches (31, 32) that are operated by a fingertip in a state where a palm rests on the palm rest part (30a) and outputs an operation command signal to the in-vehicle device,
The switches (31, 32) are provided on the front surface of the operation knob (30) and operated by the middle finger and the index finger, and on the left and right side surfaces of the operation knob (30) and other fingers. And sub-switches (32) that are pressed respectively.
The main switch (31) includes a pair of left and right scroll switches (33) that rotate integrally, and a pushable execution switch (34) disposed so as to be in contact with the pair of left and right scroll switches (33). interface apparatus characterized by comprising a. The in-vehicle device is a navigation system,
Operating knob (30) outputs an operation command signal to the navigation system by tilting the longitudinal and lateral directions, and outputs an operation command signal to the navigation system by the operation of said switch (31, 32),
The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the map image of the navigation system is moved in the front-rear and left-right directions by an operation command signal generated by tilting the operation knob (30) .

Images