JP5260241B2 - Multiple switches for vehicle accessories - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a multiple switch for accessories mounted on a vehicle.

  The vehicle is equipped with accessory devices such as a heater control unit, an audio device, and a lighting device, and switches for operating the accessory devices are arranged on the operation panels of the accessory devices. For example, a switch for selecting an air blowing position, a switch for selecting opening / closing of a ventilation port, and the like are arranged on the operation panel of the heater control unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a radio channel selection switch, a music source selection switch, and the like are arranged on the operation panel of the audio device. For each of these switches, a multiple switch in which a plurality of push buttons are arranged side by side on an operation panel is often used (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the multiple switch, a gap is provided between the push buttons. During this period, a parting line that partitions the shape is formed on the design. Therefore, when designing an operation panel using a push button, it is necessary to always have a parting line around the necessary operation switch.

  On the other hand, when the operation surface is required to have a flat design, the operation panel is replaced with a conventional push button as described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, and a human Touch switches that can be turned on and off by simply touching the surface of the panel have been used. In this touch switch, an electrode is attached to the front surface or the back surface of an operation panel, and a switch circuit is turned on and off by detecting a change in capacitance between the electrode and a human finger (for example, Patent Document 3). reference).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-33706 JP 2002-150872 A JP 2008-143198 A

  When this touch switch is used to configure the operation panel, there is no push button, so there is no parting line on the surface of the operation panel, and the design of the operation panel is a highly designable or highly flexible design. can do.

  However, the touch switch according to the prior art described in Patent Document 3 may change the floating capacitance of the electrode even when the temperature, humidity, or the like of the air around the electrode changes. There was a problem that may malfunction. In addition, a noise voltage is induced in the electrode by electromagnetic waves generated from other electronic devices, and an error occurs in detection of the measured capacitance, which may cause a malfunction.

  In addition, since the touch switch is turned on and off when touched, a human may touch a different switch while searching for the position of the switch, resulting in an erroneous operation. In addition, since the touch switch has no stroke when the switch is turned on and off, there is a problem that the touch feeling does not feel like a conventional push switch, or there is no click feeling, and the operation feeling is lacking.

  An object of this invention is to improve the design property of a multiple switch, and to suppress the fall of operativity.

A multiple switch for vehicle accessories according to the present invention includes a common board, a common push knob, a push switch that is provided between the board and the push knob, and is turned on / off by a push operation of the push knob, and the push knob and the board. A multiple touch switch including a plurality of touch electrodes provided between and a control unit that turns on and off each electric circuit corresponding to each touch electrode by a change in capacitance between each touch electrode and the human body; Bei give a push surface of the push knob, close to each touch electrode by pushing operation of the push knob, the control unit includes a feature that, for performing on-off operation of each electric circuit only when the push switch is depressed To do.

In the multiple switch for vehicle accessories of the present invention, the push switch is also suitable for pushing up the push knob when the push knob is not pushed. The multiple switch for vehicle accessories of the present invention includes a common substrate, a common push knob, a plurality of touch electrodes provided between the push knob and the substrate, and each of the touch electrodes and the human body. A multiple touch switch including a control unit that turns on and off each electric circuit corresponding to each touch electrode by a change in capacitance, and means for determining that the capacitance has exceeded a threshold value for each touch electrode; When the push knob push-in operation brings the push surface of the push knob closer to each touch electrode, the control unit turns on / off the electrical circuit corresponding to the touch electrode only when the capacitance of the touch electrode exceeds the threshold value. Performing the operation. The multiple switch for vehicle accessories according to the present invention includes a guide in which a push knob is slidably fitted, and the guide supports an electrode substrate on which each touch electrode is provided between the push surface and the substrate. it is as to be suitable.

  The present invention has an effect that it is possible to improve the design of a multiple switch and to suppress a decrease in operability.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple switch 10 of the present embodiment includes an open box casing 11, a substrate 12, a guide 13, an electrode substrate 14, touch electrodes 15 a, 15 b and 15 c, and a push knob 16. And a cover 17.

  A substrate 12 is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom of the casing 11. The guide 13 is made of resin, and a rectangular guide plate 13a is integrally formed with an open box base portion 13b. The outer surface of the base portion 13b of the guide 13 is fitted into the inner surface of the skirt portion 11a of the casing 11. It is configured. Further, since the outer dimension of the substrate 12 is smaller than the inner surface dimension of the base portion 13 b of the guide 13, when the base portion 13 b of the guide 13 is fitted into the casing 11, the substrate 12 becomes the inner surface of the base portion 13 b of the guide 13. Get in. An electric circuit is formed on the surface of the substrate 12, and LEDs 23a, 23b, and 23c for indicator illumination of the push switch 21 and the push knob 16 are attached.

  The electrode substrate 14 is obtained by forming or bending a thin dielectric plate such as a translucent resin in a step shape, and touch electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c are formed on one surface as shown in FIG. ing. The touch electrodes 15a to 15c are translucent electrodes formed by forming a conductive polymer such as indium oxide (ITO) or polyethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the electrode substrate 14 by printing or painting. The size of the surface of the electrode substrate 14 where the touch electrodes 15a to 15c are formed is slightly larger than the size of the square surrounded by the guide plate 13a of the guide 13, and the electrode substrate 14 is the end surface of the guide plate 13a. Supported by An arm 19 for attachment extends on the guide 13 side of the electrode substrate 14, and the arm reaches the substrate 12 through a hole 13 c provided in the base portion 13 b of the guide 13. The wiring 18 connected to each of the touch electrodes 15 a to 15 c extends along the surface of the arm 19 in the extending direction of the arm 19 and is electrically connected to the substrate 12.

  The push knob 16 has an inner surface of the skirt portion 16a that is slightly larger than the square outer shape formed by the guide plate 13a of the guide 13, and is fitted into the outer surface of the guide plate 13a of the guide 13 so as to fit into the guide plate 13a. It can be slid along. At the four corners of the push knob 16, there are provided mounting legs 16c that are inserted into the holes 13c of the guide 13 and define the positions thereof. In addition, the push knob 16 is provided with a push bar 16 b that extends through a hole 13 c provided in the base portion 13 b of the guide 13 and presses the push switch 21 attached to the substrate 12. An indicator indicating the type of switch is provided on the surface 16e of the push knob 16. In this embodiment, this indicator is formed of a transparent material together with the electrode substrate 14 and the touch electrodes 15a to 15c, and is configured to be illuminated by the LEDs 23a, 23b, and 23c when the multiple switch 10 is turned on. ing.

  The cover 17 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer dimension of the skirt portion 11 a of the casing 11, and covers the entire multiple switch 10 from the outside of the casing 11. A window 17 a having a size slightly smaller than the outer dimension of the push knob 16 is formed in the cover 17. The casing 11, the substrate 12, the guide 13, the electrode substrate 14, the push knob 16, and the cover 17 are assembled together to constitute the multiple switch 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the touch electrodes 15 a to 15 c and the push switch 21 of the multiple switch 10 are connected to a control unit 30 configured on the substrate 12. The control unit 30 is a computer having a CPU and a memory therein or an IC incorporating a control circuit. The bases of the transistors 31a, 31b, and 31c for driving on and off the bulbs 22a, 22b, and 22c of the lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior are connected to the control unit 30, and the collector sides of the transistors 31a, 31b, and 31c are connected. One end of each valve 22a, 22b, 22c is connected to the. The other end of each valve 22a, 22b, 22c is connected to a power source 32. Further, LEDs 23a, 23b, and 23c are connected in parallel to the valves 22a, 22b, and 22c, respectively. Each of the transistors 31a, 31b, and 31c forms an electric circuit corresponding to each of the touch electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c, and the transistor 31a operates due to a change in capacitance detected by the touch electrode 15a. The transistor 31b is operated by the change in the capacitance detected by, and the transistor 31c is operated by the change in the capacitance detected by the touch electrode 15c. Each touch electrode 15a-15c and the control part 30 comprise a multiple touch switch. Further, the push switch 21 constitutes a first switch.

  The operation of the multiple switch 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 3 and 4, description of members that are not necessary for explaining the operation is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, when the multiple switch 10 is not pushed in, the push knob 16 is pushed up together with the push rod 16b by a spring attached in the push switch 21, and the electrode substrate 14 and the push knob are pushed. There is a gap between the inner surface 16 f of the 16. In this state, if a person only touches the surface 16e of the push knob 16, the distance between the touch electrodes 15a to 15c formed on the surface of the electrode substrate 14 and the human fingertip 60 is large, and the touch electrodes 15a to 15c and the fingertips are large. There is little change in the capacitance with respect to 60, and the control unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 does not operate any of the transistors 31a, 31b, and 31c. Therefore, neither the bulbs 22a, 22b, 22c nor the LEDs 23a, 23b, 23c are lit.

  Next, when a human begins to push down the portion of the indicator B on the surface 16e of the bush knob 16 with the fingertip 60, the distance between the fingertip 60 and the touch electrode 15b is gradually shortened, and the change signal of the capacitance of the touch electrode 15b is accordingly increased. Input to the control unit 30 starts. However, during the push-down operation, the push switch 21 is not sufficiently pushed down and is kept off, so that the control unit 30 does not operate the transistor 31b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a person further depresses the indicator B portion of the surface 16 e of the push knob 16 with the fingertip 60, the push rod 16 b of the push knob 16 further depresses the push switch 21, and the push switch 21 is turned on. Thus, the ON signal of the push switch 21 is input to the control unit 30. Further, the inner surface 16 f of the push knob 16 contacts the surfaces of the touch electrodes 15 a to 15 c formed on the electrode substrate 14. In this state, since the distance between the touch electrode 15b and the human fingertip 60 is reduced, the capacitance detected by the touch electrode 15b changes greatly. The change in capacitance is input to the control unit 30. Since the controller 30 receives both the ON signal from the push switch 21 and the change signal of the capacitance of the touch electrode 15b, the controller 30 sends a current to the base of the transistor 31b corresponding to the touch electrode 15b. The transistor 31b is turned on. When the transistor 31b is turned on, electricity from the power source 32 flows to the bulb 22b and the LED 23b, the bulb 22b for vehicle interior lighting is turned on, and the indicator of the push knob 16 is turned on by the LED 23b.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 operates the transistors 31a to 31c only when the human pushes the push knob 16 and the push switch 21 is turned on. There is an effect that malfunction can be prevented. In addition, since the push switch 21 can push the push knob 16 and a click feeling can be obtained during switching, the operability of the multiple switch 10 can be improved. Furthermore, since the push knob 16 can be made common to the multiple touch switches, there is no parting line on the surface 16e of the push knob 16, and the design design can be improved.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Parts similar to those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple switch 10 of this embodiment does not have the electrode substrate 14, and the touch electrodes 15 a to 15 c are formed on the inner surface 16 f of the push knob 16. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, even if the human fingertip 60 contacts the surface 16e of the push knob 16, if the push knob 16 is pushed down and the push switch 21 is not turned on, the transistors 31a to 31c are turned on. Since it does not operate, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, since the touch electrodes 15 a to 15 c are formed on the inner surface 16 f of the push knob 16, it is possible to detect a change in the capacitance of each touch electrode 15 a to 15 c regardless of whether the push switch 21 is on or off. In the present embodiment, the touch electrodes 15a to 15c are arranged side by side so that it can be detected in which direction the human fingertip 60 has moved in the arrangement of the touch electrodes 15a to 15c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the multiple switch 10 of this embodiment is a controller that increases or decreases the magnitude of current from a power supply 32 that is another electric circuit other than the transistors 31a to 31c described in the previous embodiment. 35. The controller 35 is configured to be driven by a command from the control unit 30 regardless of the on / off operation of the push switch 21.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the multiple switch 10 of the present embodiment will be described. When the human fingertip 60 touches the surface 16e of the push knob 16, a change in the capacitance of the touch electrodes 15a to 15c is input to the control unit 30. Then, when a human moves the fingertip 60 from the indicator A toward C as shown in FIG. 5, an electrostatic capacity increase signal is input to the control unit 30 in the order of the touch electrodes 15 a, 15 b and 15 c. Then, the control unit 30 determines that the fingertip is moving in the direction of the touch electrodes 15a to 15c, that is, the direction of the indicators A to C. And the control part 30 enlarges the magnitude | size of the electric current which flows into valve | bulb 22a-22c, for example, when the fingertip 60 moves toward A to C of an indicator, and conversely in the direction of C to A of an indicator. If it is determined that the valve is moving, an operation of reducing the magnitude of the current flowing through the valves 22a to 22c can be performed.

As described above, the multiple switch 10 of the present embodiment has the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment, and one multiple switch 10 can be a multi-function switch, which saves space. There is an effect that the operability can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention demonstrated the case where this invention was applied to the lighting switch of the vehicle interior, you may apply to the switch of a heat control unit, or the switch of an audio apparatus. In this embodiment, the push switch 21 is used as the first switch. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it is determined that the capacitance of the touch electrodes 15a to 15c exceeds the threshold value. One switch may be used. When the push switch 21 is applied as the first switch, the push switch 21 may keep the pushed state as it is or return to the original position when a person releases the fingertip 60. A type may be used.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the multiple switch in embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the electrical system of the multiple switch in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining operation | movement of the multiple switch in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining operation | movement of the multiple switch in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining operation | movement of the multiple switch in other embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the electrical system of the multiple switch in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 multiple switches, 11 casing, 11a skirt, 12 substrate, 13 guide, 13a guide plate, 13b base, 13c hole, 14 electrode substrate, 15a, 15b, 15c touch electrode, 16 bush knob, 16a skirt, 16b Push rod, 16c leg, 16f inner surface, 16e surface, 17 cover, 17a window, 18 wiring, 19 arm, 21 push switch, 22a, 22b, 22c valve, 23a, 23b, 23c LED, 30 control unit, 31a, 31b, 31c transistor, 32 power supply, 35 controller, 60 fingertips.

Claims (4)

A common substrate,
A common push knob,
A push switch that is provided between the substrate and the push knob and is turned on and off by a push operation of the push knob;
A plurality of touch electrodes provided between the push knob and the substrate, and a controller that turns on / off each electric circuit corresponding to each touch electrode by a change in capacitance between each touch electrode and the human body. for example Bei and the communication touch switch, the,
The push surface of the push knob approaches each touch electrode by pushing the push knob,
The control unit performs on / off operation of each electric circuit only when the push switch is pressed ,
A multiple switch for vehicle accessories. The vehicle accessory multiple switch according to claim 1,
Push switch
If the push knob is not pushed in, push the push knob up ,
A multiple switch for vehicle accessories. A common substrate,
A common push knob,
A plurality of touch electrodes provided between the push knob and the substrate, and a controller that turns on / off each electric circuit corresponding to each touch electrode by a change in capacitance between each touch electrode and the human body. Continuous touch switch,
For each touch electrode, means for determining that the capacitance has exceeded a threshold;
With
By pushing the push knob, the push surface of the push knob approaches each touch electrode,
The control unit performs an on / off operation of an electric circuit corresponding to the touch electrode only when the capacitance of the touch electrode exceeds a threshold value,
A multiple switch for vehicle accessories. The multiple switch for vehicle accessories according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It has a guide with a push knob fitted so that it can slide,
The guide supports the electrode substrate provided with each touch electrode between the push surface and the substrate.
A multiple switch for vehicle accessories.

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