Vehicular switch device

Abstract

To achieve both of operability and designability of a switch device.SOLUTION: A vehicular switch device 10 includes an operation section 20 which is provided in a door trim of a door and operates a motor 92 for driving to open and close the door. The operation section 20 has a plurality of light sources 22 arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction L, a capacitance type touch sensor arranged to cover the plurality of light sources, and a decoration panel which overlap the touch panel, is arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of light sources, and has a plurality of display sections 25 configured to emit light by light from the corresponding light source. The switch device 10 further includes: a seat position detection section which detects a position of a seat 80 in the longitudinal direction L; and a control section which controls a light emission mode of the light source so that the display section 25 on a rear side of the plurality of display sections 25 emits light when the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection section is on a rear side compared with when the position is on a front side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle switch device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a vehicle is provided with a seat 80 on which an occupant sits and a door 90 that is arranged adjacent to the seat 80 in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes an entrance. The seat 80 is provided on a floor 70 of the vehicle and is configured to be slidable along a rail (not shown in the drawing) extending in the front-rear direction L. The door 90 is, for example, an electric slide door. An operation unit 120 for operating a motor that drives the door 90 to open and close is provided on a door trim 91 of the door 90.

[0003] By the way, when the operation unit 120 is set at a position reachable by the hand of an occupant sitting on the seat 80 when the position of the seat 80 is relatively forward, as shown in FIG. 7, when the position of the seat 80 is changed to the rear, there is a possibility that the hand of the occupant cannot reach the operation unit 120.

[0004] As a vehicle switch device for solving such inconveniences, for example, there is a vehicle switch (hereinafter, switch device) described in Patent Document 1. The switch device described in Patent Document 1 includes a switch operation unit provided on a door trim of a vehicle.

[0005] On the door trim where the switch device described in Patent Document 1 is provided, a plurality of switch operation units having the same function for operating a seat are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. According to the switch device described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the position of the seat is rearward, an occupant sitting on the seat can operate the rear switch operation unit among the plurality of switch operation units.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the case of the switch device described in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of switch devices arranged side by side in the front-rear direction are always visible to the occupant, there is room for improvement in design.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0008] Each aspect of a vehicle switch device for solving the above problems is described. [Aspect 1] A vehicle switch device applied to a vehicle including a seat on which an occupant sits and a door that is arranged adjacent to the seat in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes a door opening, the vehicle switch device including an operation unit provided on a door trim of the door for operating an electronic device, when the front-rear direction of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, the operation unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, a capacitive touch sensor arranged to cover the plurality of light sources, a decorative panel having a plurality of display units that overlap the touch sensor and are arranged to correspond to the plurality of light sources respectively, and are configured to emit light by light from the corresponding light sources, a seat position detection unit that detects a position of the seat in the front-rear direction, a control unit that controls a light emission mode of the light sources so that a rear-side display unit among the plurality of display units emits light when the position of the seat detected by the seat position detection unit is on the rear side compared to when it is on the front side, a vehicle switch device.

[0009] According to the same configuration, the operation unit provided on the door trim includes a plurality of light sources, a touch sensor, and a decorative panel having a plurality of display units. When the position of the seat detected by the seat position detection unit is on the rear side, compared to the case where it is on the front side, the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources is controlled so that the rear display unit among the plurality of display units emits light. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the hand of the occupant sitting on the seat has difficulty reaching the operation unit depending on the position of the seat in the front-rear direction.

[0010] Also, according to the above configuration, since a part of the plurality of light sources emits light, it becomes difficult for the occupant to notice the presence of the plurality of light sources and the plurality of display units of the decorative panel. Thereby, the design property of the switch device, and thus the design property of the door trim, can be improved.

[0011] Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the operability and the design property of the switch device. [Aspect 2] It includes a reclining angle detection unit that detects the reclining angle of the seat, When the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit is large compared to the case where it is small, the control unit controls the light emission mode of the light source so that the rear display unit among the plurality of display units emits light. The vehicle switch device according to aspect 1.

[0012] Even when the position of the seat in the front-rear direction is the same, when the reclining angle of the seat is large compared to the case where it is small, there is a possibility that the hand of the occupant sitting on the seat has difficulty reaching the operation unit.

[0013] In this regard, according to the above configuration, when the reclining angle of the seat detected by the reclining angle detection unit is large compared to the case where it is small, the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources is controlled so that the rear display unit among the plurality of display units emits light. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the hand of the occupant has difficulty reaching the operation unit depending on the reclining angle of the seat. Therefore, the operability of the operation unit can be further improved.

[0014] [Aspect 3] A vehicle switch device applied to a vehicle including a seat on which an occupant sits and a door that is arranged adjacent to the seat in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes an entrance / exit, the vehicle switch device including an operation unit provided on a door trim of the door for operating an electronic device, when the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, the operation unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, a capacitive touch sensor arranged to cover the plurality of light sources, a decorative panel that overlaps the touch sensor and is arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of light sources and has a plurality of display units configured to emit light by light from the corresponding light sources, a reclining angle detection unit that detects a reclining angle of the seat, a control unit that controls a light emission mode of the light sources so that the rear display unit among the plurality of display units emits light when the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit is larger than when it is small, A vehicle switch device.

[0015] According to the same configuration, the operation unit provided on the door trim has a plurality of light sources, a touch sensor, and a decorative panel having a plurality of display units. And when the reclining angle of the seat detected by the reclining angle detection unit is larger than when it is small, the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources is controlled so that the rear display unit among the plurality of display units emits light. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the hand of the occupant sitting on the seat becomes difficult to reach the operation unit depending on the reclining angle of the seat.

[0016] Also, according to the above configuration, since a part of the plurality of light sources emits light, it becomes difficult for the occupant to notice the presence of the plurality of light sources and the plurality of display units of the decorative panel. Thereby, the design property of the switch device, and thus the design property of the door trim, can be improved.

[0017] Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the operability and the design of the switch device. [Aspect 4] The electronic device is a motor that drives the door to open and close, and includes a buckle sensor that detects whether a seat belt provided on the seat is worn. When the buckle sensor detects that the seat belt is worn, the control unit controls the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources so that the plurality of display units do not emit light. On the other hand, when the state changes from a state where the wearing of the seat belt is detected to a state where it is not detected, the control unit controls the light emission modes of the light sources so that the display unit emits light. The vehicle switch device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3.

[0018] When the occupant sitting on the seat is wearing the seat belt, the possibility that the occupant operates the operation unit to open and close the door is low. On the other hand, after the occupant sitting on the seat changes from a state of wearing the seat belt to a state of not wearing it, the possibility that the occupant operates the operation unit to open the door is high.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the buckle sensor detects that the seat belt is worn, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources are controlled so that the plurality of display units do not emit light. Therefore, since the plurality of display units do not emit light, it becomes difficult for the occupant to notice the presence of the operation unit. Therefore, the design can be further enhanced.

[0020] On the other hand, when the state changes from a state where the wearing of the seat belt is detected to a state where it is not detected, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources are controlled so that the display unit emits light. Therefore, since the display unit emits light, the occupant can be made aware of the presence of the operation unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both the operability and the design of the switch device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle is provided with a seat 80 on which an occupant sits, a door 90 that is disposed adjacent to the seat 80 in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes an entrance / exit, and a vehicle switch device (hereinafter, switch device 10).

[0024] In the following, the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be simply described as the front-rear direction L. <Seat 80> The seat 80 includes a seat cushion 81, a seat back 82, and a headrest 83. The seat 80 of the present embodiment is, for example, a second-row seat.

[0025] The seat cushion 81 is provided on the floor 70 of the vehicle and is configured to be slidable along a rail (not shown in the figure) extending in the front-rear direction L. That is, the seat 80 is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction L. The seat cushion 81 of the present embodiment is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction L by being driven by a motor (not shown in the figure).

[0026] The seat back 82 is tiltably connected to the rear portion of the seat cushion 81 and is configured to be reclinable with respect to the seat cushion 81. That is, the reclining angle, which is the angle formed between the seating surface of the seat cushion 81 and the front surface of the seat back 82, is configured to be changeable. The seat back 82 of the present embodiment is configured to be tiltable with respect to the seat cushion 81 by being driven by a motor (not shown in the figure).

[0027] The headrest 83 is connected to the upper portion of the seat back 82. The seat 80 is provided with a seat belt 84 for restraining the occupant seated on the seat 80.

[0028] <Door 90> The door 90 is a sliding door configured to open and close the entrance by sliding in the front-rear direction L. The door 90 includes a door trim 91.

[0029] The door trim 91 is provided with an operation unit 20 for operating a motor 92 that drives the door 90 to open and close. <Switch device 10> The switch device 10 includes an operation unit 20, a seat position detection unit 31, a reclining angle detection unit 32, a buckle sensor 41, and a control unit 50.

[0030] (Operation unit 20) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation unit 20 includes a plurality of light sources 22, a touch sensor 23, a decorative panel 24, a transparent sheet 26, and a coating layer 27.

[0031] The plurality of light sources 22 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction L. Specifically, the plurality of light sources 22 are arranged at intervals from each other in the front-rear direction L on a substrate 21 extending in the front-rear direction L. The light source 22 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Device). In the present embodiment, for example, six light sources 22 are provided.

[0032] The touch sensor 23 is a well-known capacitive touch sensor and is arranged so as to cover the plurality of light sources 22. The decorative panel 24 is arranged so as to overlap the touch sensor 23 from the side opposite to the light sources 22 with respect to the touch sensor 23.

[0033] The decorative panel 24 has a plurality of display portions 25 corresponding to the plurality of light sources 22 respectively. The display portion 25 is configured to emit light by the light from the corresponding light source 22. Specifically, the decorative panel 24 is made of a colored resin and has the same color tone as the design surface around the operation portion 20 in the door trim 91 when the plurality of light sources 22 are not emitting light. Among the decorative panel 24, the display portion 25 has visible light transmittance, while the portion other than the display portion 25 in the decorative panel 24 has lower visible light transmittance or no visible light transmittance compared to the display portion 25.

[0034] The transparent sheet 26 is arranged so as to overlap the decorative panel 24 from the side opposite to the touch sensor 23 with respect to the decorative panel 24. The coating layer 27 is formed on the surface of the transparent sheet 26.

[0035] (Sheet position detection unit 31, reclining angle detection unit 32, buckle sensor 41, control unit 50) The switch device 10 includes a control unit 50.

[0036] The control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the light source 22 and outputs an operation signal of the operation portion 20 to the door ECU 60 when the operation portion 20 is touched by an occupant. The control unit 50 is arranged inside the door trim 91.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of light sources 22 and a touch sensor 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to a seat ECU 30 that executes various controls of the seat 80, a seat belt ECU 40 that executes various controls of the seat belt 84, and a door ECU 60 that executes various controls of the door 90.

[0038] Detection signals from a seat position detection unit 31 that detects the position of the seat 80 in the front-rear direction L and a reclining angle detection unit 32 that detects the reclining angle of the seat 80 are input to the seat ECU 30. Note that the seat position detection unit 31 and the reclining angle detection unit 32 have a well-known configuration and are provided on the seat 80.

[0039] Detection signals from the seat position detection unit 31 and the reclining angle detection unit 32 are input to the control unit 50 via the seat ECU 30. A detection signal from a buckle sensor 41 that detects whether the seat belt 84 provided on the seat 80 is worn is input to the seat belt ECU 40. The buckle sensor 41 has a well-known configuration and is provided on the buckle.

[0040] The detection signal of the buckle sensor 41 is input to the control unit 50 via the seat belt ECU 40. The control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the light source 22 so as to cause one of the plurality of display units 25 to emit light according to both the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 and the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit 32.

[0041] That is, when the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 is the rear side, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the light source 22 so that the rear display unit 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emits light as compared with the case where the position is the front side. When the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit 32 is large, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources 22 so that the rear display unit 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emits light as compared with the case where the angle is small.

[0042] The control unit 50 includes a map that defines the relationship between both the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 and the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit 32, and the light source 22 that emits light among the plurality of light sources 22. Based on this map, the control unit 50 sets one light source 22 to be emitted among the plurality of light sources 22.

[0043] When the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected by the buckle sensor 41, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources 22 so that the plurality of display units 25 do not emit light. On the other hand, when the state changes from the state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to the state where it is not detected, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources 22 so that the display unit 25 emits light.

[0044] In the present embodiment, when the state changes from the state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to the state where it is not detected, the light source 22 is caused to emit light for a predetermined time (several seconds to several tens of seconds). When the touch sensor 23 detects that the display unit 25 that emits light among the plurality of display units 25 has been touch-operated, the control unit 50 outputs a signal for driving the motor 92 to the door ECU 60 for opening.

[0045] Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 is the front side, the light emission mode of the plurality of light sources 22 is controlled so that the front display unit 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emits light.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, when the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 is at the rear side, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 are controlled such that the rear display units 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emit light as compared with the case where the position is at the front side. Therefore, depending on the position of the seat 80 in the front-rear direction L, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the hand of the occupant sitting on the seat 80 has difficulty reaching the operation unit 20.

[0047] In addition, since a part of the plurality of light sources 22 emits light, it becomes difficult for the occupant to notice the presence of the plurality of light sources 22 and the plurality of display units 25 of the decorative panel 24. Thereby, the design property of the switch device 10, and thus the design property of the door trim 91, can be improved.

[0048] Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) When the position of the seat 80 detected by the seat position detection unit 31 is at the rear side, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the light source 22 such that the rear display units 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emit light as compared with the case where the position is at the front side.

[0049] According to such a configuration, since the operation of the above-described embodiment is achieved, it is possible to achieve both the operability and the design property of the switch device 10. (2) When the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit 32 is large, the control unit 50 controls the light emission mode of the light source 22 such that the rear display units 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emit light as compared with the case where the angle is small.

[0050] Even when the position of the seat 80 in the front-rear direction L is the same, when the reclining angle of the seat 80 is large, there is a possibility that the hand of the occupant sitting on the seat 80 has difficulty reaching the operation unit 20 as compared with the case where the angle is small.

[0051] In this regard, according to the above configuration, when the reclining angle of the seat 80 detected by the reclining angle detection unit 32 is large, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 are controlled so that the rear display unit 25 among the plurality of display units 25 emits light as compared with the case where the angle is small. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the passenger's hand has difficulty reaching the operation unit 20 depending on the reclining angle of the seat 80. Therefore, the operability of the switch device 10 can be further improved.

[0052] (3) When the buckle sensor 41 detects that the seat belt 84 is worn, the control unit 50 controls the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 so that the plurality of display units 25 do not emit light. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 shifts from a state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to a state where it is not detected, the control unit 50 controls the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 so that the display unit 25 emits light.

[0053] When the passenger sitting on the seat 80 is wearing the seat belt 84, the possibility that the passenger operates the operation unit 20 to open and close the door 90 is low. On the other hand, after the passenger sitting on the seat 80 shifts from a state of wearing the seat belt 84 to a state of not wearing it, the possibility that the passenger operates the operation unit 20 to open the door 90 is high.

[0054] According to the above configuration, when the buckle sensor 41 detects that the seat belt 84 is worn, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 are controlled so that the plurality of display units 25 do not emit light. For this reason, since the plurality of display units 25 do not emit light, it becomes difficult for the passenger to notice the existence of the operation unit 20. Therefore, the design can be further enhanced.

[0055] On the other hand, when shifting from a state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to a state where it is not detected, the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources 22 are controlled so that the display unit 25 emits light. For this reason, since the display unit 25 emits light, the passenger can be made aware of the existence of the operation unit 20.

[0056] <Modification Example> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0057] · The number of the light source 22 and the display unit 25 may be two or more, and can be appropriately changed. · In the above - described embodiment, when the state changes from the state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to the state where it is not detected, the light - emitting mode of the light source 22 is controlled so that the display unit 25 emits light for a predetermined time. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the state changes from the state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to the state where it is not detected, the light - emitting mode of the light source 22 may be controlled so that the display unit 25 continues to emit light until the operation unit 20 is operated.

[0058] · In the above - described embodiment, when the state changes from the state where the wearing of the seat belt 84 is detected to the state where it is not detected, the light - emitting mode of the light source 22 is controlled so that the display unit 25 emits light. However, it is not limited to this. That is, regardless of the wearing state of the seat belt 84, the light - emitting mode of the light source 22 may be controlled so that one of the plurality of display units 25 emits light.

[0059] Also, when a detection signal of the seat position detection unit 31 that detects the position of the seat 80 in the front - rear direction L or the reclining angle detection unit 32 that detects the reclining angle of the seat 80 is input to the seat ECU 30, the light - emitting mode of the light source 22 may be controlled so that one of the plurality of display units 25 emits light. According to the above configuration, since the display unit 25 that emits light in conjunction with the change in the position of the seat 80 in the front - rear direction L or the change in the reclining angle is changed, it is possible to preferably inform the occupant that the display unit 25 has been switched.

[0060] ·In the above-described embodiment, the display unit 25 (light source 22) that emits light among the plurality of display units 25 (light sources 22) is set according to both the position of the seat 80 in the front-rear direction L and the reclining angle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The display unit 25 (light source 22) that emits light among the plurality of display units 25 (light sources 22) may be set according to only the reclining angle of the seat 80.

[0061] ·The operation unit 20 may be provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction L with respect to the door trim 91. In this case, the operability of the switch device 10 can be further improved.

[0062] ·The electronic device that is the operation target of the operation unit 20 is not limited to the motor 92 that drives the door 90 to open and close. For example, it may be a motor that drives a window provided on the door 90 to open and close, or it may be a light source of an interior light.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 10…Switch device 20…Operation unit 21…Substrate 22…Light source 23…Touch sensor 24…Decorative panel 25…Display unit 26…Transparent sheet 27…Coating layer 30…Seat ECU 31…Seat position detection unit 32…Reclining angle detection unit 40…Seat belt ECU 41…Buckle sensor 50…Control unit 60…Door ECU 70…Floor 80…Seat 81…Seat cushion 82…Seat back 83…Headrest 84…Seat belt 90…Door 91…Door trim 92…Motor

Claims

1. A vehicle switch device applied to a vehicle including a seat on which an occupant sits and a door that is disposed adjacent to the seat in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes an entrance / exit, the vehicle switch device including an operation unit provided on a door trim of the door to operate an electronic device, when the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, the operation unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, a capacitive touch sensor arranged to cover the plurality of light sources, a decorative panel that overlaps with the touch sensor and is arranged so as to correspond to the plurality of light sources respectively, and has a plurality of display units configured to emit light by light from the corresponding light sources, a seat position detection unit that detects a position of the seat in the front-rear direction, and a control unit that controls a light emission mode of the light sources so that a rear-side display unit among the plurality of display units emits light when the position of the seat detected by the seat position detection unit is on the rear side compared to when it is on the front side, a vehicle switch device.

2. including a reclining angle detection unit that detects a reclining angle of the seat, wherein the control unit controls a light emission mode of the light sources so that a rear-side display unit among the plurality of display units emits light when the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit is large compared to when it is small, the vehicle switch device according to claim 1.

3. A vehicle switch device applied to a vehicle including a seat on which an occupant sits and a door that is disposed adjacent to the seat in the vehicle width direction and opens and closes an entrance / exit, the vehicle switch device including an operation unit provided on a door trim of the door to operate an electronic device, when the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, the operation unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, a capacitive touch sensor arranged to cover the plurality of light sources, a decorative panel that overlaps with the touch sensor and is arranged so as to correspond to the plurality of light sources respectively, and has a plurality of display units configured to emit light by light from the corresponding light sources, a reclining angle detection unit that detects a reclining angle of the seat, and a control unit that controls a light emission mode of the light sources so that a rear-side display unit among the plurality of display units emits light when the reclining angle detected by the reclining angle detection unit is large compared to when it is small, Vehicle switch device.

4. The electronic device is a motor that drives the door to open and close, and includes a buckle sensor that detects whether a seat belt provided on the seat is worn, wherein when the wearing of the seat belt is detected by the buckle sensor, the control unit controls the light emission modes of the plurality of light sources so that the plurality of display units do not emit light, while when the state changes from a state where the wearing of the seat belt is detected to a state where it is not detected, the control unit controls the light emission mode of the light source so that the display unit emits light. The vehicle switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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