JPH08183409A - Vehicle electric equipment control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accomplish corresponding relationships of switches and electric equipment through an inexpensive and simplified structure. CONSTITUTION: A switch lever 11R provided on a steering column member contains switches 21 to 26 and a switch lever 11L has switches 31 to 36. With right hand drive vehicles, switches 21 to 26 function for lights, turn signals, and the like, while switches 31 to 36 function for a washer, a wiper, and the like. With left hand drive vehicles, switches 21 to 26 function for a washer, a wiper and the like and switches 31 to 36 function for lights, turn signals and the like by grounding the input port of a control unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle electrical component control device capable of changing the correspondence between switches and electrical components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent vehicles, the number of electric components mounted is extremely large, and the number of switches for controlling the electric components is also increasing accordingly. In order to perform control of electrical equipment by such a switch while reducing wiring, a vehicle employing a multiplex communication system in which the switch and the electrical equipment are connected by a multiplex transmission line has been put into practical use. In such a multiplex communication system, a control unit (called a node in the case of multiplex communication) in which a plurality of switches are connected, that is, a signal from the plurality of switches is provided, is provided, and a control signal corresponding to the operation state of the switch Is output to the electrical equipment corresponding to the switch via the multiplex transmission path. Such a control unit that receives signals from a plurality of switches and outputs the signals to the corresponding electrical equipment is not limited to multiplex communication, and is also adopted from the viewpoint of wiring concentration.

When a certain switch fails, it becomes impossible to bring the electrical equipment corresponding to this switch into a desired control state, and the function of the vehicle deteriorates. For this reason, JP-A-5-
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 262189 proposes to perform alternative control in which another switch replaces the failed switch.

[0004]

By the way, the correspondence relationship between electrical components and switches is set uniformly, and there has been no idea in the past to change the correspondence relationship set uniformly. . It should be noted that the switch substitution as proposed in the above publication is for special control at the time of failure and not for normal operation.

As the number of electrical components or switches increases,
The location of the switch is greatly restricted, and it is easy for one switch to be used while another switch is difficult to use. Also, in recent vehicles,
The position of the switch is often changed between the left handle and the right handle, but in response to this switch position change, a separate control unit is prepared and the wiring relationship for the control unit is changed. Doing so is not preferable from the viewpoint of cost and manufacturing.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle electrical component control device capable of performing the correspondence between switches and electrical components with an inexpensive and simple structure. To provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a control unit that receives signals from a plurality of switches and outputs a control signal according to an operation of the switches to a predetermined electrical component corresponding to the switch among the plurality of electrical components is provided. The control unit is provided with a correspondence changing means for changing the correspondence between the switch and the electric component when a predetermined operation is performed. A preferred configuration of the present invention based on the above configuration is as described in claims 2 and below in the claims.

[0008]

According to the invention described in claim 1, it is desired to change the switch position such as the relationship between the right-hand drive vehicle and the left-hand drive vehicle by changing the correspondence relationship between the switch and the electrical equipment. When requested, the correspondence between the switch and the electrical component can be changed to a desired one without changing the switch position itself. In other words, it is possible to obtain the same effect as when the switch mounting position is changed to the optimum position without changing the switch mounting position. Further, since the correspondence changing means for changing the correspondence between the switch and the electric component is configured in the control unit, that is, the correspondence can be made by software, so that the cost is low and the configuration is simple. Therefore, it can be easily implemented.

By adopting the configuration as described in claim 2, it is possible to make the switch arrangement positions common between the right-hand drive vehicle and the left-hand drive vehicle.

By adopting the structure as described in claim 3, the operation modes of the left and right switch levers, which are respectively combination switches, that is, the operation motions are made common, and the effect corresponding to claim 2 is achieved. This is preferable in order to further increase the power consumption, and in particular to avoid preparing extra contact points for extra play that are not used for the left and right switch levers as much as possible.

The structure as described in claim 4 is preferable in order to make the left and right switch levers themselves common.

With the structure as described in claim 5, it is possible to obtain the convenience which is a characteristic of the self-return system.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is an instrument panel and 2 is a steering shaft. In the embodiment, the steering shaft 2 is located on the right side of the instrument panel 2 for a right-hand drive vehicle.

A column member 3 is arranged so as to surround the steering shaft 2, and the steering shaft 2 is also provided.
The handle 4 is fixed to the tip end of the using a mounting nut 5. The column member 3 is positioned immediately in front of the handle 4 and fixed to the vehicle body side, and is covered by cover members 6A and 6B which are vertically divided into two parts so as to have a good appearance. There is. In the figure, 7 is a cover.
A screw member for fixing the members 6A and 6B to each other, and 8 is a horn pad which is attached to the central portion of the front surface of the handle 4 and also serves as a blind for the mounting nut 5.

A pair of left and right switch levers 11L and 11R are attached to the column member 3. The switch levers 11L and 11R are each a combination switch having a plurality of switch functions, and have substantially congruent shapes (in the embodiment, completely congruent shapes). The switch levers 11L and 11R are of a self-return type for a predetermined switch among a plurality of switch functions, as described later.

A control unit U is built in the column member 3, and the control unit U responds to switch operation signals from the switch levers 11L and 11R to control signals to electrical components corresponding to the switches. Is output. Then, in the embodiment, the control unit U is configured to function as a node for multiplex communication.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit U has a C
A control unit 12 having a PU and a memory, and a pair of left and right inputs U
Output interfaces 13L and 13R and multiplex communication circuit 1
4 and a power supply circuit 15. The power supply circuit 15 is connected to the battery power supply, and the control unit 12 is connected to the multiplex transmission line (multiplex bus line) 16 via the multiplex communication circuit 14. Of course, various electric components such as wipers and lights, which will be described later, corresponding to the switch levers 11L and 11R are connected to other nodes (not shown) (the other nodes are also connected to the multiplex transmission line 16).

The movement of the left and right switch levers 11L and 11R, that is, the correspondence between the operation mode and the switch (switch function) will be described with reference to FIGS. Each of the switch levers 11L and 11R is attached to the column member 3 so as to be swingable in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and a predetermined switch is configured by also utilizing this swing. However, all the switches that utilize this swing are of the self-return type (when the external force is released, they automatically return to the neutral position).

First, the right switch lever 11R has switches 21 to 26. The switch 21 is an auto-mains switch, which is a self-return type and a push type, and is turned on when pushed and turned off when pushed again (turned on and off by repeated pushes).
Is repeated). The switch 22 is a light switch,
A three-stage dial (rotation) type having three contacts 22a to 22c (non-self-return type) is used.
Is OFF, contact 22b is a small light, contact 22
The headlight of c is turned on.

The switch 23 is for adjusting the illuminance of an instrument or the like mounted on the instrument panel 1, and is of a dial type stepless type (continuously variable type). Switch 24
It is turned on by pulling the switch lever 11R from the neutral position to the front, that is, the rear with the passing switch
When the pulling operation is released, it is returned to the neutral position and O
It is a self-return type that becomes FF. Switch 2
Reference numeral 5 is a dimmer switch for switching between a low beam and a high beam of the hedrite, which is turned on when the switch lever 11R is pressed forward, and turned off when the pressing operation is released. Has been done. And
Each time the switch 25 is turned on, the low beam and the high beam are switched, and the ignition switch is turned on.
In the initial period immediately after, it was set as a robe beam. .

The switch 26 is a turn switch and is of a self-return type having four contacts 26a to 26d. That is, the switch 26 is the switch lever 1
When the 1R is operated slightly upward from the neutral position, the contact 26
b is turned on, and the left turn lamp is operated (flashing operation) only while it is turned on. When the operation external force is released from the switch lever 11R, the switch lever 11R returns to the neutral position (the blinking operation of the left turn lamp is stopped). Further, when the switch lever 11R is operated largely upward, the contact 2
6a is turned on and the left turn light blinks, and this blinking operation continues even if the switch lever 11R returns to the neutral position (returning to the neutral position is self-return). The blinking operation is performed by either returning the steering wheel to a substantially neutral position (the return of the steering wheel to the neutral position is recognized by receiving a signal from the steering angle sensor) or swinging the switch lever 11R downward. Contact 26b or 2
6c is released on condition that it is turned on (may be released after a predetermined time has passed). Contact 26
c and 26d are for the right turn, and the contact 26c is 26b.
And the contact 26d corresponds to 26a.

The left switch lever 11L is a switch 31.
˜36. The switch 31 is a headlight washer switch, which is a self-return type and a push type, and turns ON when pushed and OF when pushed again.
It becomes F (ON and OFF are repeated by repeated pushes). Switch 32 is a rear wiper switch, 3
A three-stage dial (rotation) type having two contacts 32a to 32c (non-self-return type), and a contact 32a
Is OFF, the contact 32b is intermittently operated, and the contact 32c is continuously operated.

The switch 33 is a dial type stepless type (continuously variable type) for adjusting an operation interval time when the front eyepiece is intermittently operated. The switch 34 is
It is for front window washer liquid injection and is a self-return type that is turned on by pulling the switch lever 11L from the neutral position to the front, that is, rearward, and returns to the neutral position and is turned off when the pulling operation is released. . The switch 35 is for a one-touch wiper, and is turned on when the switch lever 11L is pushed forward from the neutral position.
, And when the pressing operation is released, it returns to the neutral position and OF
It is an F-type self-return type.

The switch 36 is for the front wiper and is 4
It is of a self-return type having three contacts 36a to 36d (when the operating force is released, all the contacts 36a to 3d).
Automatic return to neutral position from 6d). That is, when the switch lever 11L is operated slightly upward from the neutral position, the contact 36b is turned on, and the front wiper is intermittently operated on condition that the contact 36b is turned on. When the operation external force is released from the switch lever 11L, the switch lever 11L returns to the neutral position, but the intermittent operation is continued. Further, when the switch lever 11L is operated largely upward, the contact 36a is turned on to instruct the stop of the operation of the front wiper (the above-mentioned intermittent operation and all of the low operation high operation described later).

When the switch lever 11L is oscillated slightly downward from the neutral position, the contact 36c is turned on, and the front wiper is operated in a low operation (slow continuous operation). When the switch lever 11L is swung largely downward, the contact 36d is turned ON, and the front wiper is in a high operation (fast continuous operation).

The above-mentioned switches 21 to 26 and 31
A control signal is generated by the control unit 12 in accordance with the operating states of the control units ~ 36, and the control signal is output from the control unit 12 through the multiplex communication circuit 14 to the multiplex transmission line 16, that is, the electrical component corresponding to the switch. It

The left and right switch levers 11L and 11R
The operation modes, that is, the types of movements are the same as each other. That is, the left switch 21 corresponds to the right switch 31, the left switch 22 corresponds to the right switch 32, the left switch 23 corresponds to the right switch 33, the left switch 24 corresponds to the right switch 34, and the left switch 25 The right switch 35 corresponds, and the left switch 36 corresponds to the right switch 36.

Here, the control section 12 has an input port α, and the correspondence between the switch and the electrical components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is that when the input port α is not grounded. It When the input port α is grounded, the correspondence between the switch and the electric component is changed, and the correspondence between the switch and the electric component after the change is shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 2). ). As is clear from FIG. 4, all electrical components corresponding to the right switch lever 11R in FIG. 2 are changed to those corresponding to the left switch lever 11L in FIG. Similarly, all electrical components corresponding to the left switch lever 11L in FIG. 2 are changed to those corresponding to the right switch lever 11R in FIG. Whether or not the input port α is grounded is determined at the factory shipment stage of the vehicle at the latest.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes the following cases, for example. (1) The predetermined operation for changing the correspondence between the switch and the electrical equipment is not limited to the operation of switching whether or not the input port α of the control unit 12 is grounded, but it is not limited to the other operation for the multiplex transmission. It may be a signal input indicating the difference between the left and right handles from the driver, or can be set as appropriate by operating a changeover switch separately provided in the control unit U. (2) The control unit U is not limited to multiplex transmission, but may be one for non-multiplex transmission in which electrical equipment is directly connected to the control unit U (control signal is directly output from the control unit U to electrical equipment. What is done). (3) The switches and electrical components whose correspondences are changed can be appropriately selected in addition to those shown in the embodiments. Of course, the switch whose correspondence is to be changed is not limited to the switch levers 11L and 11R provided on the column member 3, and may be an appropriate switch mounted on the vehicle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a switch lever portion to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a switch function given to a switch lever.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a switch function of a switch lever and an internal structure of a control unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state in which the correspondence between switches and electrical components has been changed.

[Description of sign]

 2: Steering shaft 3: Column member 4: Handle 11L: Left switch lever 11R: Right switch lever 21-26: Switch provided on the right switch lever 31-36: Switch provided on the right switch lever α: Input port ( (For correspondence change)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Inputting signals from a plurality of switches,
The control unit outputs a control signal according to an operation of the switch to a predetermined electric component corresponding to the switch among a plurality of electric components, and the control unit outputs the switch when the predetermined operation is performed. An electrical component control device for a vehicle, comprising: a corresponding relation changing unit that changes a corresponding relation between the electric component and the electrical component. 2. The first switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches are constituted by a pair of left and right switch levers provided on a steering column, and the correspondence change means is the first electrical component by the left switch lever. And a first state in which the right switch lever controls the second electrical component, and the left switch lever controls the second electrical component, and the right switch lever controls the first electrical component. It is to change the correspondence relationship with the second state that controls the product. 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the left and right switch levers are combination switches, and their operation modes are set to be the same. 4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the left and right switch levers are substantially congruent with each other. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the left and right switch levers each have a self-return function.