WO2021106779A1

WO2021106779A1 - Switch device and operation device

Info

Publication number: WO2021106779A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/043368
Authority: WO
Inventors: 章八木橋
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2019-11-28
Filing date: 2020-11-20
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Also published as: JP2021086742A; JP7332450B2

Abstract

This switch device 1 is configured to comprise an operation knob 10 which is supported by a main body part 80 and which can perform a tilt operation with respect to an operation axis AX from the main body part 80 toward an operation side and a rotary operation around the operation axis AX, wherein the operation knob 10 has two or more electrostatic detection parts in the direction of the operation axis AX. Accordingly, multiple operations are possible with a single switch device.

Description

Switch device and operating device

Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-214991 filed on November 28, 2019, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-214991 are incorporated by reference in this application. To do.

The present invention relates to a switch device and an operating device, and more particularly to a multi-operable switch device and an operating device capable of performing a plurality of operations with one switch device.

As a switch device and an operating device, a control box is provided, and a rotary type inside / outside air switching tool and a rotary type mode switching tool arranged concentrically on the surface side of the control box are provided, and inside / outside on the surface side of the control box. A switch device for controlling air conditioning of a vehicle and an operation device, which are provided with an air volume control dial and a temperature control dial provided side by side in the control box on the side of the air changer and the mode changer, are disclosed. There is.

In this switch device and the operation device, the air conditioning of the vehicle is performed by a rotary mode changer. For example, when the mode switch is moved toward the back side of the inside / outside air switch while the mode switch is located at the air conditioning position and the inside / outside air switch is located at the inside air position, the engaging means is engaged. Switch to. Further, when the mode switching tool is operated to the defroster position in the engaged state of the engaging means, the inside / outside air switching tool can be operated to rotate to the outside air position in conjunction with the mode switching tool.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-221941

However, the switch device and the operation device of Patent Document 1 are required to be provided with an air volume control dial and a temperature control dial provided side by side in the control box on the side of the inside / outside air switch and the mode switch. ing. For this reason, there is a problem that operability is poor because many switch devices are required and the arrangement and operation method are different.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device and an operation device capable of multi-operation with one switch device.

The switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an operation knob that is supported by the main body and can be tilted with respect to the operation shaft from the main body to the operation side and can be rotated around the operation shaft. In the switch device, the operation knob has two or more electrostatic detection units in the direction of the operation shaft.
Further, the operation device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a switching process for switching the function of the rotation operation of the operation knob based on the detection results of the switch device having the above configuration and the two or more electrostatic detection units. It has a control unit provided with a unit and a control unit.

According to one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch device and an operation device capable of multi-operation with one switch device.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the main body. FIG. 2A is a left side view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the A direction. FIG. 2B is an upper plan view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the B direction. FIG. 2C is a front view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the C direction. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a switch device and an operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the switch device and the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a front view of the vicinity of the instrument panel from the driver's seat of the vehicle showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the instrument panel and the center console of the vehicle. FIG. 5B is a front view of the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the steering column and the driver's seat of the vehicle. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen in which a display related to heater control is displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the main body. 2A is a left side view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the A direction, FIG. 2B is an upper plan view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the B direction, and FIG. 2C is a top plan view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the C direction. It is a front view. Hereinafter, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[Embodiments of the present invention]
The switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is supported by the main body 80, and can tilt the operation shaft AX from the main body 80 toward the operation side and rotate around the operation shaft AX. The switch device includes the operation knob 10, and the operation knob 10 has two or more electrostatic detection units in the direction of the operation shaft AX.

Here, the operation knob 10 is a knob that the operator picks and operates with a finger to perform a tilting operation, a rotation operation, and the like.

Further, the main body portion 80 is a base portion that supports the operation knob 10 and serves as a reference for rotation, tilting operations, and the like. The switch device 1 is attached to the vehicle 90 by attaching the main body 80 to, for example, the instrument panel 95, the center console 96, the steering column 97, the driver's seat 98, etc. of the vehicle 90.

The operation side is the operator side when viewed from the main body 80 side, and is the side on which the operation knob 10 is arranged.

The operation axis AX refers to a virtual axis that coincides with the knob axis at the initial position of the operation knob 10. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the operation knob 10 has a cylindrical shape that can be picked up and operated by a finger, and the knob axis is the central axis CL of the cylinder.

(Tilt operation structure of operation knob 10)
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation knob 10 tilts the entire operation knob in the left-right direction T1 and tilts the entire operation knob in the vertical direction T2 with respect to the operation shaft AX while being supported by the main body 80. Can be done. In this tilting operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the center line CL of the operating knob 10 coincides with the operating shaft AX in the initial state, and the tilting operation force is released after the tilting operation, so that the operating knob 10 operates the operating shaft. It can be a momentary operation that automatically returns to match the AX. Further, this tilting operation may be performed in a direction other than up, down, left and right.

For the tilting operation of the operation knob 10, a tilting detection unit 15 for detecting the tilting direction is provided, for example, in the main body 80 (not shown). The tilting direction and the presence / absence of tilting can be detected by using a contact switch, an optical switch that detects a change in light, a magnetic switch that detects a magnetic change, or the like.

(Rotation operation structure of operation knob 10)
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation knob 10 is supported by the main body 80, and the entire operation knob can be rotated in the rotation direction R1 around the operation shaft AX. The rotation direction R1 around the operation shaft AX can be one direction or both directions in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, this rotation operation can be a momentary operation in which the operation knob 10 automatically returns to the initial rotation position after the rotation operation by releasing the rotation operation force.

For the rotation operation of the operation knob 10, a rotation detection unit 17 for detecting the rotation direction or the number of rotations is provided, for example, in the main body unit 80 (not shown). A rotation encoder using light can be used to detect the rotation direction and the rotation speed. Other methods can also be used, for example by using a rotary encoder that detects a magnetic change, or by using a rotary switch that uses a contact switch.

In the present embodiment, the operation knob 10 has two or more electrostatic detection units 20 in the direction of the operation axis AX. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the operation knob 10 includes an electrostatic detection unit 21 provided along a cylindrical surface near the tip of the operation knob 10.

Further, the operation knob 10 is provided with two

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 on the side closer to the main body 80 side than the electrostatic detection unit 21. The

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 are electrostatic detection means provided on the surfaces of the push switches 31 and 32, which will be described later, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2B and 2C, they face each other with the operation shaft AX interposed therebetween. It is provided in two places.

When the operator picks up (holds) the electrostatic detection unit 21 and rotates the operation knob 10, the operator picks up (holds) the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 and rotates the operation knob 10. The functions (function 1 and function 2) executed by the rotation operation can be different depending on the case. That is, it is possible to separately set the function executed by the rotation operation depending on the position held by the operator.

The electrostatic detection unit 20 (21, 22, 23) is provided with a touch electrode on each surface. Further, for the detection of the

electrostatic detection units

21, 22 and 23, the capacitance detection unit is provided in, for example, the main body unit 80 (not shown). In each touch electrode, for example, when the operator is not touching, the touch sensor output (capacitance value) is almost zero (however, there is a parasitic capacitance), and the operator grasps and fingers. In the touched state, the capacitance value increases.

The control unit 70, which will be described later, performs a charging operation of applying a voltage to each touch electrode at a predetermined cycle via a capacitance detection unit, and samples the voltage of each touch electrode at a predetermined cycle. By these operations, the control unit 70 acquires the capacitance value of each touch electrode at any time. Whether or not each touch electrode is touched can be determined by the control unit 70 by determining whether or not the output value (capacitance value) of each touch electrode exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The output value (capacitance value) of each touch electrode may be a capacitance value, a voltage value corresponding to the capacitance, or a digital value obtained by integrating these analog values with a counter and quantizing them. it can.

(Push operation structure of operation knob 10)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2B, and 2C, the operation knob 10 has a push operation portion in a part thereof in a direction substantially orthogonal to the operation axis AX. In the present embodiment, the operation knob 10 is provided with

push operation units

31 and 32 at two locations facing each other with the operation shaft AX interposed therebetween. The two

push operation units

31 and 32 can execute the function by one of the push operations (P1 or P2 direction), and the two push operations (P1 and P2 directions) can execute the function. It can also enable function execution.

In the push operation of the operation knob 10 (in the P1 and P2 directions), a push detection unit for detecting the push operation is provided, for example, inside the operation knob 10 or inside the main body 80 (not shown). The push detection unit may use, for example, a contact switch.

(Rotary dial operation structure of operation knob 10)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, a rotary dial 50 around a dial rotary shaft DX that is substantially orthogonal to the operation shaft AX is arranged as a part of the operation knob 10. .. The rotary dial 50 is capable of dial rotation in the rotation direction R2 around the dial rotation shaft DX shown in FIG. The rotation direction R2 of the dial rotation can be one direction or both directions in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction.

For the rotation operation of the rotary dial 50, a detection unit for detecting the rotation position is provided in, for example, the operation knob 10 (not shown). A rotation switch using a contact switch can be used to detect the rotation position. Further, by using a rotary encoder using light, a rotary encoder that detects a magnetic change, or the like, it is possible to detect the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the rotary dial 50.

(Trackball 60 of operation knob 10 or jog dial operation structure)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the operation knob 10 includes a trackball or jog dial at the center of the rotary dial 50. In the present embodiment, the operation knob 10 is provided with a trackball 60. The trackball 60 can be rotated in, for example, in the rotation direction R3 shown in FIG. The rotation direction R3 of the trackball rotation can be any direction as well as one direction.

In the rotation operation of the trackball 60, a detection unit for detecting the rotation direction or the rotation speed is provided inside, for example, the operation knob 10 (not shown). For example, by detecting the rotation of the trackball by the rotation detecting means arranged orthogonally, the rotation direction and the rotation speed in the two-dimensional direction can be detected. Other methods can also be used, for example by using a two-dimensional position detecting means using a laser beam, a rotary encoder for detecting a magnetic change, or a rotary switch using a contact switch.

(Configuration of Operation Device 100)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the switch device 1 and the operation device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation device 100 includes a switching processing unit 72 that switches the function of the rotation operation of the operation knob 10 based on the detection results of the switch device 1 and two or more electrostatic detection units 20 (21, 22, 23) described above. It is configured to include a control unit 70 provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 70 includes a tilt detection unit 15, a rotation detection unit 17, an electrostatic detection unit 20 (21, 22, 23), a

push operation unit

31, 32, a rotation dial 50, and a trackball 60 ( Or it is connected to the jog dial) and each detection result is input. The control unit 70 can calculate, process, and execute based on these input values, and output the operation information Sn operated to the operation knob 10 to the outside.

The control unit 70 is, for example, a micro composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on the acquired data according to a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a semiconductor memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. It is a computer. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing the calculation result and the like. Further, the control unit 70 has an interface unit and the like for signal input / output processing. The control unit 70 determines whether the operator picks up (holds) the electrostatic detection unit 21 or the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 and rotates the operation knob 10 by the operation of the switching processing unit 72. It is possible to execute control that makes the function executed by the rotation operation different based on the judgment result.

(Operation of operating device 100)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the switch device and the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Step1)
The control unit 70 detects whether or not the switching processing unit 72 has detected a touch on the electrostatic detection unit 21. If the touch to the electrostatic detection unit 21 is detected, the process proceeds to Step 2 (Step 1: Yes), and if the touch to the static electricity detection unit 21 is not detected, the process proceeds to Step 3 (Step 1: No).

(Step2)
The control unit 70 can execute the function 1 based on the output of the rotation detection unit 17. The operation information Sn for executing this function 1 can be output to the outside.

(Step3)
The control unit 70 detects whether or not the switching processing unit 72 has detected a touch on the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23. If the touch to the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 is detected, the process proceeds to Step 4 (Step 3: Yes), and if the touch to the static

electricity detection units

22 and 23 is not detected, the process returns to Step 1 (Step 3: No).

(Step4)
The control unit 70 can execute the function 2 based on the output of the rotation detection unit 17. The operation information Sn for executing this function 2 can be output to the outside. The function 2 can be a function different from the function 1 executed by Step 2. As a result, there are cases where the electrostatic detection unit 21 is picked (held) to rotate the operation knob 10, and cases where the operator picks up (holds) the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 and rotates the operation knob 10. The function executed by the rotation operation can be different depending on the case.

The above series of operations can be repeatedly executed.

In addition to the above-mentioned rotation operation control, the control unit 70 detects a tilt operation for the operation knob 10, a push operation for the push switches 31 and 32, a rotation operation for the rotation dial 50, and a rotation operation for the trackball 60 (or jog dial). Then, the operation information Sn for executing the function based on these operations can be output to the outside.

(Example of application to vehicle 90)
The switch device 1 and the operation device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the vehicle 90. FIG. 5A is a front view of the vicinity of the instrument panel from the driver's seat of the vehicle showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the instrument panel and the center console of the vehicle. FIG. 5B is a front view of the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle showing a state in which the switch device and the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention are mounted on the steering column and the driver's seat of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the switch device 1 and the operation device 100 are mounted on, for example, the instrument panel 95 of the vehicle 90. It may also be mounted on the center console 96. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the switch device 1 and the operation device 100 can be mounted on, for example, the steering column 97 of the vehicle 90, the driver's seat 98, and the like. In the present embodiment, as an example of application to the vehicle 90, a case where the application is applied to the heater control of the vehicle will be described. In FIG. 5A, when an operator, for example, a driver performs various operations of the switch device 1, the display screen 98 displayed on the display unit 97 changes according to the operation content to reflect the operation content. In addition, the heater control of the vehicle is executed by this operation content.

FIG. 6 is a display screen showing an example in which a display related to heater control is displayed on the display unit. In the switch device 1, for example, the operator tilts the operation knob 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the T2 direction to switch to the heater control mode, and displays the display screen 98 shown in FIG.

For example, the operator can tilt the operation knob 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the T1 direction to switch between the driver's seat (D seat) and the passenger seat (P seat) of the heater control.

By picking (grasping) the electrostatic detection unit 21 and rotating the operation knob 10, the operator can, for example, change the display of the temperature adjustment 98a to adjust the temperature.

By picking (grasping) the

electrostatic detection units

22 and 23 and rotating the operation knob 10, the operator can, for example, change the display of the air volume adjustment 98b to adjust the air volume.

By pushing the

push operation units

31 and 32, for example, the operator changes the display of the A / C switch 98c and the inside / outside air switching 98d to perform on / off control and inside / outside air switching control of the A / C switch. be able to.

By operating the rotary dial 50, the operator can, for example, change the display of the blowout window switching (sequential switching) 98e to control the blowout window switching.

By operating the trackball 60, the operator can perform, for example, a defroster, a rear defogger switch, and other switching operations.

[Effects of Embodiments of the present invention]
According to the embodiment of the present invention shown above, it has the following effects.
(1) The switch device 1 and the operation device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention are supported by the main body 80, and tilt operation with respect to the operation shaft AX from the main body 80 toward the operation side, and the operation shaft AX. It is a switch device provided with an operation knob 10 capable of rotating around, and the operation knob 10 is configured to have two or more

electrostatic detection units

21 and 22 in the direction of the operation shaft AX. In addition to the tilting operation and the rotating operation, the operation knob 10 is capable of a push operation, a rotary dial operation, a trackball or a jog dial operation. This enables multi-operation with one switch device.
(2) Since multi-operation is possible with one switch device, each switch can be integrated in one place to save space.
(3) By consolidating in one place, there is an effect that there is no hesitation operation such as looking for it and changing hands.
(4) Since the function is completed in one place, the operation itself becomes easy to understand.
(5) When applied to a vehicle, the symbolic / icon effect in the vehicle interior is exhibited.
(6) As a multi-operation device, it can be applied to various devices and devices other than the heater control shown in the application example to the vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from or changing the technical idea of the present invention. Although typical embodiments and illustrated examples according to the present invention have been illustrated, the above-described embodiments and illustrated examples do not limit the invention according to the claims. Therefore, it should be noted that not all combinations of the above-described embodiments and features described in the illustrated examples are essential for the means for solving the problems of the invention.

1 Switch device 10 Operation knob,
15 Tilt detection unit 17

Rotation detection unit

20, 21, 22

Electrostatic detection unit

31, 32 Push operation unit 50 Rotation dial 60 Trackball 70 Control unit 72 Switching processing unit 80 Main unit 100 Operation device AX Operation axis

Claims

A switch device supported by a main body and provided with an operation knob capable of tilting an operation with respect to an operation shaft from the main body to the operation side and rotating around the operation shaft.
The operation knob is a switch device having two or more electrostatic detection units in the direction of the operation axis.
A tilt detecting unit for detecting the tilting direction and the presence / absence of tilting due to the tilting operation is provided.
The switch device according to claim 1.
A rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation direction and the number of rotations accompanying the rotation operation is provided.
The switch device according to claim 1 or 2.
A base portion that supports the operation knob and serves as a reference for the tilt operation and the rotation operation is provided.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The operating knob is cylindrical with a central axis that coincides with the operating axis.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation knob has a push operation unit in a direction substantially orthogonal to the operation axis in a part thereof.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the push operation unit is symmetrically arranged with the operation axis interposed therebetween.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a rotation dial around a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the operation axis is arranged in a part of the operation knob.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a trackball or a jog dial at the center of the rotary dial.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A control unit including a switching processing unit that switches the function of the rotation operation of the operation knob based on the detection results of the two or more electrostatic detection units.
The operating device.