JPH0639621U - Vehicle switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a device capable of informing a driver of the position of the switch in the darkness such as night, and improving the degree of freedom of a lighting method and the workability of assembling. A finger position detection mechanism comprising an operation panel 3, an infrared emitting section arranged in a plurality of rows and columns around the operation panel, and an infrared receiving section arranged vertically and horizontally to detect infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting section. 4 is provided. Frame 6 and operation panel 3 covering the finger position detection mechanism 4
Further, a frame body 9 integrated with a light guide portion 8 for guiding visible light from the light source 7 is provided between the operation panel 3 and the finger position detection mechanism 4. A filter 10 that transmits infrared rays of the finger position detection mechanism 4 but blocks visible light is formed on the frame portion 6.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a vehicle switch device for obtaining vehicle information and traffic information operated by a vehicle driver.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 There are various types of switches operated by a driver in a vehicle, and they are generally located on the side of the steering wheel or slightly below the steering wheel. There was a risk that safe driving would be impaired because the vehicle would fall apart.

As a vehicle switch device for solving the above-mentioned problem, there is a switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-243633 and shown in FIG. That is, a plurality of pairs of optoelectronic elements that oppose each other around the flat plate are arranged to detect a light path blocking position on the flat plate, and a light path blocking position of this switch unit 1 and switch selection items are displayed on the screen. The image display unit 2 is provided separately, and the image display unit 2 is placed at an easy-to-see position that does not hinder the operation of the vehicle, and the switch unit 1 is placed at a location such as a center console that is easy to operate. By inserting the finger into the optical matrix of the switch unit 1 while observing the image display unit 2 and displaying the finger position on the display unit 2 with a specific mark, the displayed mark is displayed. A switch operation is performed by pressing the switch section 1 at the finger position after confirming that it is at the desired operation position in the switch selection item on the display section 2. A. Therefore, the driver can easily perform the switch operation while looking at the image display unit 2 which is in a position close to the forward field of view and contributes to safe driving.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, this type of optical matrix type switch unit 1 does not have any illumination means in the darkness such as at night, and it takes time and labor to confirm its position.

Therefore, a method of providing a light source directly below the switch unit 1 and illuminating the switch unit 1 from the back surface is conceivable. However, the depth of the switch unit 1 becomes large, and space limitations such as a center console of a vehicle are considered. This causes a problem that it becomes difficult to install it in a place that is easily affected. Further, a method of providing a light source near the wall surface of the case and providing a light guide member on the inner wall of the case to guide the light from the light source to the frame to illuminate the front surface of the switch section 1 can be considered. There are no pairs of optoelectronic elements that oppose the periphery of the flat plate, because the frame part that covers the optoelectronic devices is made of dark resin so that it cannot be seen from the outer peripheral surface of the flat plate. Therefore, it could not be used as a lighting means.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an operation panel, a plurality of infrared emitting units vertically and horizontally arranged around the operating panel, and infrared beams emitted from the infrared emitting units vertically and horizontally are provided. A switch part including a finger position detection mechanism composed of an infrared light receiving part for sensing is provided, and a frame part covering the finger position detection mechanism and a light guide part for guiding visible light from a light source are integrated into the operation panel. The frame body is provided between the operation panel and the finger position detecting mechanism, and a filter that transmits infrared light of the finger position detecting mechanism but blocks visible light is formed in the frame portion. To do.

[0007]

[Action]

 The filter formed on the frame of the frame allows infrared rays to pass through but blocks visible light, making it impossible to see the finger position detection mechanism inside the frame and seeing from the light source. Light is guided to the light guide part or the frame part of the frame to illuminate the operation panel.

[0008]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The same or corresponding parts as those of the conventional technique shown in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. .

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The switch unit 1 includes an operation panel 3, a plurality of infrared emitting units arranged vertically and horizontally around the operation panel 3, and infrared receiving units for sensing infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting units at positions facing each other in the vertical and horizontal directions. The finger position detection mechanism 4 and the switch body 5 that performs a switch function by the pressing operation of the operation panel 3 are included in the display unit 2 (see FIG. 5, the same applies below) for displaying switch selection items. On the other hand, insert a finger into the matrix of infrared rays of the switch unit 1 and recognize the position of the finger by the mark displayed on the display unit 2, and after confirming that this mark is at the desired operation position on the display unit 2. The switch operation is performed by pressing the operation panel 3 at the finger position. The switch section 1 is installed in a position such as a center console where it can be easily operated.

In the present invention, a lighting device is further provided to inform the position of the operation panel 3 at night or in the dark.

A frame body 9 integrally formed with a frame portion 6 for covering and protecting the finger position detection mechanism 4 arranged in a matrix and a light guide portion 8 for guiding the light of the light source 7 to the operation panel 3 is formed. In order to effectively guide the light from the light source 7, it has a reflecting surface 9a formed of a transparent resin or the like and for guiding the light into the operation panel 3 made of a translucent material.

A reflective film 3a is formed on the back surface of the operation panel 3 made of a light-transmissive material by using a material having a high reflectance such as white or metallic, so that the entire surface of the operation panel 3 is made to emit light uniformly. The number of light sources 7 and the mounting positions may be appropriately selected.

A filter 10 is formed on the peripheral surface of the operation panel 3 in the frame portion 6 at a position where the internal finger position detection mechanism 4 cannot be seen from the periphery of the operation panel 3 surface. The filter 10 is made of a material that transmits infrared rays and blocks visible light, and is formed by means such as painting, printing, coloring molding, or insert molding.

Therefore, the infrared rays of the finger position detecting mechanism 4 are transmitted through the filter 10 by the filter 10 formed on the frame portion 6, and the finger positions on the operation panel 3 are cut off by vertical and horizontal infrared matrixes. And the visible light entering from the light source 7 or the frame portion 6 is blocked, so that the interior of the frame portion 6 is blinded.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The filter 10 is provided on the surface of the frame portion 6 of the frame body 9 on which the finger position detection mechanism 4 is incorporated.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, in which the operation panel 3 has a light-shielding property. Since the frame body 9 is integrally formed of the frame portion 6 and the light guide portion 8 by a transparent member, the frame body 6 is also used as a light guide path for guiding the light from the light source 7, and the inside of the frame portion 6 is used. A through hole portion 11 not provided with the filter 10 is provided on the entire circumference or a part of the frame portion 6 at a position where the finger position detecting mechanism 4 cannot be seen, and light is guided and illuminated from the front surface of the operation panel 3.

The switch device according to the present invention does not necessarily need to have the switch body 5 provided under the operation panel 3, and has only the function of detecting the finger position. The switch body 5 may be provided externally to perform the switch operation.

[0018]

【effect】

 The present invention provides a finger position including an operation panel, a plurality of infrared emitting units arranged vertically and horizontally around the operation panel, and an infrared receiving unit arranged vertically and horizontally to detect infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting unit. A switch unit including a detection mechanism is provided, and a frame body that integrates a frame unit that covers the finger position detection mechanism and a light guide unit that guides visible light from a light source into the operation panel is provided with the operation panel and the operation unit. Since a filter that is provided between the finger position detection mechanism and the frame portion has a filter that transmits infrared light of the finger position detection mechanism but blocks visible light, it is possible to detect the finger position inside the operation panel from outside. Since the surface of the operation panel can be illuminated without the mechanism being visible, the driver can be informed of the position of the switch in the darkness such as at night. Further, by integrally forming the frame body with the frame portion and the light guide portion, the degree of freedom of the illumination method is improved, the cost of parts is reduced, and the assembling workability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 switch part 2 display part 3 operation panel 3a reflective film 4 finger position detection mechanism 5 switch body 6 frame part 7 light source 8 light guide part 9 frame body 9a reflective surface 10 filter 11 through hole part

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A finger position detection device comprising an operation panel, infrared ray emitting portions arranged around the operation panel vertically and horizontally, and infrared ray receiving portions vertically and horizontally arranged to detect infrared rays emitted from the infrared ray emitting portion. A switch unit including a mechanism, and a frame unit that integrates a frame unit that covers the finger position detection mechanism and a light guide unit that guides visible light from a light source to the operation panel, and the operation panel and the finger position. A switch device for a vehicle, which is provided between a detection mechanism and a filter that transmits infrared rays of the finger position detection mechanism but blocks visible light, in the frame portion.