KR20040110919A - Method and apparatus for lighting conrtol for air conditioner panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A lighting control method and a device for an air conditioner panel are provided to secure an optimal lighting condition of the air conditioner panel that a driver checks out exactly information of the panel according to turn-on/off of a headlight and/or insolation intensity. CONSTITUTION: A lighting control method of an air conditioner panel for an air conditioner panel system comprising a symbol lighting unit, an indicator lighting unit, and a rheostat is composed of steps for judging if a headlight is turned on as the air conditioner panel is turned on(S200); judging insolation intensity if the headlight is turned on(S202); adjusting brightness of the air conditioner panel lighting unit according to a brightness adjustment value of the rheostat if the headlight is turned on and the insolation does not exist(S204); and increasing the brightness of the indicator lighting unit to a maximum value and turning off the symbol lighting unit if the headlight is turned off or the headlight is turned on and insolation exists(S206).

Description

Lighting control method and apparatus for air conditioning panel {Method and apparatus for lighting conrtol for air conditioner panel}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automotive air conditioning system, and more particularly, to a lighting device for a display panel of an air conditioning system.

An operation button provided on a display panel of the air conditioning system (hereinafter referred to as an "air conditioning panel") includes a symbol for displaying information on an air conditioning function corresponding to the operation button, and an operation button is turned on so that the air conditioning function is turned on. An indicator is provided to indicate whether this operation is in progress. Moreover, the illumination device for air conditioning panels is equipped with a symbol illumination part, an indicator illumination part, and the illumination control part which controls these for each operation button.

1 is a view for explaining an example of an air conditioning panel.

Referring to the drawings, on the air conditioning panel, buttons 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 provided with both a symbol and an indicator, and buttons provided with only a symbol are provided. The air-conditioning corresponding to each operation button to the windshield defrosting button 100, the rear windshield heating button 102, the air conditioner button 104, the internal / external air selection button 106, the harmful gas shut-off switch 108, etc. A symbol for displaying the function in a picture or English letter, and the indicators 100a, 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a for indicating whether the air conditioning function is operating are all provided. In addition, the control display unit 110 provided on the air conditioning panel as a high-end vehicle specification has a set room temperature (25.0 ° C.), automatic blowing direction, blowing intensity, and A / C to show the driver that the air conditioning system is being controlled. Displays information such as and AUTO control.

Each component of the above-described air conditioning panel lighting device is provided for the purpose of delivering clear information without burdening the driver with glare or the like. In the current high-end automotive specification, the illumination brightness adjustment function of the air conditioning panel with or without solar radiation and the illumination brightness adjustment function using rhestat are employ | adopted according to a driver's preference.

However, the lighting brightness adjustment function according to the presence or absence of solar radiation, according to the law, when the headlights should be turned on even during the day, or when the headlights should be turned on during the day due to the situation such as tunnel entry, Darkening does not provide optimum light brightness. In addition, when the headlights need to be turned on even in the daytime, the air conditioner panel lighting device that does not employ the lighting brightness adjustment according to the presence or absence of solar radiation should be manually adjusted by the driver to make the brightness of the light bright during the day and dark at night. There is discomfort.

Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioning panel lighting control method and apparatus suitable for various operating conditions by comprehensively determining the ambient brightness situation such as the presence or absence of solar radiation and whether the headlights are turned on.

1 is a view for explaining an example of an air conditioning panel.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for describing a method for controlling light for an air conditioning panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a lighting control device for an air conditioning panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of a lighting device for an air conditioning panel controlled by the lighting control method and apparatus according to the present invention.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, the air conditioning panel lighting control method according to the present invention for an air conditioning panel system having a symbol lighting unit, an indicator lighting unit, a leostat, (a) when the air conditioning panel is turned on, Determining whether it is turned on; (b) if the headlight is turned on, determining whether or not the solar light is irradiated; (c) if the headlights are turned on and there is no solar radiation, adjusting the brightness of the air conditioning panel lighting unit according to the brightness adjustment value of the leostat; And (d) adjusting the brightness of the indicator lighting unit to a maximum value and turning off the symbol lighting unit when the headlights are turned off or when the headlights are turned on and insolation.

When the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature control, the step (c) may include adjusting an illumination brightness of the control display unit according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value.

In addition, when the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature control, the step (d) may include adjusting the illumination brightness of the control display unit to a maximum value.

In order to achieve the above another technical problem, an air conditioning panel lighting control apparatus according to the present invention for an air conditioning panel system having a symbol lighting unit, an indicator lighting unit, and a leostat includes: a first sensing unit sensing whether a headlight is turned on; A second sensing unit for sensing the presence or absence of solar radiation when the headlight is turned on; A first controller configured to adjust brightness of the symbol illumination unit and the indicator illumination unit according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value when there is no solar radiation; And a second control section for adjusting the brightness of the indicator illumination unit to the maximum value and turning off the symbol illumination unit when the headlights are turned off or insolation.

When the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature control, the first control unit may adjust the illumination brightness of the control display unit according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value.

In addition, when the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature control, the second control unit may adjust the illumination brightness of the control display unit to a maximum value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to comprehensively determine the ambient light conditions such as the presence or absence of solar radiation and whether the headlights are turned on or the like to obtain an air conditioning panel lighting state suitable for various operating conditions.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings the configuration and operation of the lighting control method and apparatus for an air conditioning panel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling air conditioner panel lighting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and may be performed by, for example, the air conditioner panel lighting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lighting device for the air conditioning panel, in which the lighting control method according to the present invention is performed, includes an air conditioning panel 400, a Leostat circuit 402, a headlight 404, a headlight switch 406, and The first optical sensor 408 and the second optical sensor 410 may be provided.

The air conditioning panel 400 includes an indicator lighting unit 400a and a pattern symbol lighting unit 400b. In addition, when the thermostat is provided according to the specification of the vehicle, the control display unit 400c may further include. Here, the panel symbol lighting unit 400b displays the function of the button. The panel symbol lighting unit 400b illuminates the " A / C " portion of the air conditioner button, for example, on which the panel symbol " A / C " is displayed. The indicator lighting unit 400a displays whether the A / C or the like is activated by a light emitting element such as an LED that is turned on or off when the driver operates the air conditioning panel operation button. The control display unit 400c displays information such as the set room temperature, the blowing direction, the blowing intensity, etc. in order to show the driver the state in which the air conditioning system is being controlled.

The leostat circuit 402 is a type of variable resistance circuit capable of adjusting the illumination brightness of a vehicle interior. The leostat circuit 402 may be implemented to allow the driver to set the brightness of the lighting through a rotary switch or the like.

The headlight 404 is turned on in accordance with the output signal of the headlight switch 406. The headlight switch 406 may operate by various methods, such as a driver's operation and automatic turn-on by sensing ambient brightness.

The first optical sensor 408 senses the presence or absence of solar radiation. The second optical sensor 410 senses the light output of the headlight 404. Here, the first and second optical sensors 408 and 410 may be implemented as one optical sensor unit. The optical sensor unit may be installed inside the headlight unit, for example, to simultaneously detect the light output and the presence or absence of solar radiation of the headlight.

2 again, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for describing a lighting control method for an air conditioning panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When the air conditioning panel is turned on, the headlight is turned on according to whether the headlight is turned on or not. Steps of adjusting the brightness of the lighting unit (steps S200 to S206) may be provided.

Ambient brightness can be classified into the following four situations depending on whether headlights are turned on and whether or not solar radiation is present. First, when the headlights are turned off and there is insolation, it is determined that the daytime bright situation. Second, when the headlights are turned off and there is no solar radiation, it is determined that the situation is temporarily dark due to a dark situation in the daytime, for example, a tunnel entry during the daytime. Third, when the headlights are turned on and there is insolation, it is determined that the headlights should be turned on even in the daytime according to the law. Fourth, when the headlights are turned on and there is no insolation, it is usually determined that the headlights are turned on at night.

As described above, in the air conditioner panel lighting control method shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner panel lighting state suitable for various driving conditions is determined by comprehensively determining whether the headlight is turned on as well as the surrounding brightness situation such as the presence or absence of solar radiation. It is to provide.

Referring to Figure 2 in more detail, first, if the air conditioning panel is turned on, it is determined whether the headlight is turned on (step S200). Whether the headlights are turned on may be determined by, for example, the output signal of the headlight turn-on switch 408 shown in FIG. 4, or may be determined by the output signal of the first optical sensor 406 for detecting the headlights. It may be.

Next, when the headlight is turned on, it is determined whether or not the solar radiation (S202). The presence or absence of solar radiation may be determined based on, for example, an output signal of the second optical sensor 410 illustrated in FIG. 4.

When the headlight is turned on and there is no solar radiation, the brightness of the indicator illumination unit and the symbol illumination unit is adjusted according to the set leostat brightness adjustment value (step S204). Here, in the case where the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit 400c for automatic temperature control, in step S204, the illumination brightness of the control display unit 400c may be adjusted according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value.

In addition, when the headlight is turned off or the headlight is turned on and there is solar radiation, the brightness of the indicator lighting unit is adjusted to the maximum value, and the symbol lighting unit is turned off (step S206). Here, when the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit 400c for automatic temperature control, step S206 may adjust the illumination brightness of the control display unit 400c to a maximum value.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an illumination control device for an air conditioning panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the headlight detector 300, the solar radiation detector 302, the first controller 304, and the leostat The air conditioner panel which has the circuit 306 and the 2nd control part 308, and which has the indicator illumination part 310a, the symbol illumination part 310b, and the control display part 310c is controlled.

In the air conditioning panel system, the symbol lighting unit 310b illuminates the function display portion of the button provided on the air conditioning panel. The symbol lighting unit 310b illuminates, for example, the "A / C" display portion of the air conditioner button on which the panel symbol "A / C" is displayed. The indicator lighting unit 310a is turned on or turned off when the driver operates the air conditioning panel operation button to display whether the A / C operation is performed or the like. The control display 310c displays information such as the set room temperature, the blowing direction, the blowing intensity, and the like in order to show the driver the state in which the air conditioning system is being controlled. The leostat circuit 306 is a kind of variable resistor circuit that can adjust the illumination brightness of the air conditioning panel, and may include a rotary switch or the like so that the driver can set the illumination brightness.

In the air conditioner panel lighting control apparatus according to the present invention, the headlight detector 300 may be implemented as a means for sensing whether the headlight is turned on, for example, including an optical sensor for detecting the light output of the headlight. have. When it is determined that the headlight is turned on, the solar sensor 302 senses the presence or absence of solar radiation.

When the headlights are turned on and there is no solar radiation, the first control unit 304 adjusts the brightness of the symbol lighting unit 310b and the indicator lighting unit 310a in accordance with the Leostat brightness adjustment value. In addition, the first control unit 304 may adjust the illumination brightness of the control display unit 310c according to the brightness adjustment value of the leostat 306.

The second control unit 308 adjusts the brightness of the indicator illumination unit 310a to the maximum value and turns off the symbol illumination unit 310b when the headlight is turned off or when the headlight is turned on and insolation. . In addition, the second control unit 308 may adjust the illumination brightness of the control display unit 310c to a maximum value.

As described above, according to the lighting device for an automotive air conditioning panel of the present invention, the driver can recognize the information of the air conditioning panel accurately according to the surrounding situation, for example, whether the headlight is turned on and / or whether it is insolated. The air conditioning panel has the effect of providing a lighting state.

The present invention is not limited to what has been described above and illustrated in the drawings, and of course, more modifications and variations are possible to those skilled in the art within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (6)

A lighting control method for an air conditioning panel for an air conditioning panel system having a symbol lighting unit, an indicator lighting unit, and a leostat, (a) when the air conditioning panel is turned on, determining whether the headlight is turned on; (b) if the headlight is turned on, determining whether or not the solar light is irradiated; (c) if the headlights are turned on and there is no solar radiation, adjusting the brightness of the air conditioning panel lighting unit according to the brightness adjustment value of the leostat; And (d) adjusting the brightness of the indicator lighting unit to a maximum value and turning off the symbol lighting unit when the headlights are turned off or when the headlights are turned on and insolation; Lighting control method. The air conditioner panel system of claim 1, further comprising: In the step (c), the lighting control method for the air conditioning panel, characterized in that it comprises the step of adjusting the illumination brightness of the control display unit according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value. The air conditioner panel system of claim 1, further comprising: The step (d) of the air conditioning panel, characterized in that it comprises the step of adjusting the illumination brightness of the control display to the maximum value. A lighting control device for an air conditioning panel for an air conditioning panel system having a symbol lighting unit and an indicator lighting unit, A first sensing unit sensing whether the headlight is turned on; A second sensing unit for sensing the presence or absence of solar radiation when the headlight is turned on; A Leostat circuit for setting an adjustment value of the illumination brightness of the air conditioning panel; A first controller to adjust brightness of the symbol lighting unit and the indicator lighting unit according to the leostat brightness adjustment value when the headlight is turned on and there is no solar radiation; And When the headlights are turned off or when the headlights are turned on and there is insolation, the air conditioner panel lighting is provided with a second control unit for adjusting the brightness of the indicator lighting unit to a maximum value and turning off the symbol lighting unit. controller. The method of claim 4, wherein the air conditioner panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature control. And an illumination brightness of the control display unit according to the Leostat brightness adjustment value. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the air conditioning panel system further includes a control display unit for automatic temperature regulation, the second control unit includes: Lighting control device for an air conditioning panel, characterized in that for adjusting the illumination brightness of the control display to the maximum value.