Vehicular air-conditioning operation device and vehicular air-conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a vehicular air-conditioning operation device that enables an occupant to operate an air-conditioning device such as designation of a blow position without raising the body even when a seat is reclined, and a vehicular air-conditioning system including the vehicular air-conditioning operation device.SOLUTION: A vehicular air-conditioning operation device 1 comprises an operation panel 10 including a plurality of switches 100 for designating an air blowing position from a register of the vehicular air-conditioning device as a position relative to a position of the body of a seated occupant. The operation panel 10 is installed in a center console 33 or a door trim.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning operating device and a vehicle air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an operation knob is attached to a register of an air conditioner used in a vehicle cabin, and the airflow direction and the like are manually controlled using the operation knob (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-109515 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the method of manually operating a register using a control knob as described in Patent Document 1, the occupant cannot reach the control knob when the seat is reclined, and must therefore sit up to operate the control knob.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioning operating device that allows an occupant to operate the air conditioning device, such as specifying the air blowing position, without having to sit up even when the seat is reclined, and a vehicle air conditioning system that includes the vehicle air conditioning operating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following vehicle air conditioning operating device or vehicle air conditioning system.

[0007] [1] A vehicle air conditioning operating device that includes an operating panel including a plurality of switches for specifying the position of the air blown from the register of a vehicle air conditioning system relative to the body position of a seated occupant, the operating panel being installed in the center console or door trim. [2] The vehicle air conditioning operating device according to [1] above, wherein the operation panel is a touch panel. [3] A vehicle air conditioning operating device as described in [1] or [2] above, in which a mark resembling a human body is displayed within the operating panel, and the air blowing position is visually indicated by the positional relationship between the multiple switches and the mark. [4] A vehicle air conditioning operating device as described in [1] or [2] above, in which a light-transmitting decorative layer is provided on the operating panel, and the display of the operating panel and the display of the decorative pattern on the decorative layer are switched depending on the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the operating panel. [5] A vehicle air conditioning system comprising the vehicle air conditioning operating device described in [1] or [2] above, the vehicle air conditioning device, and a control unit that controls the air blowing position of the register in accordance with the input contents to the plurality of switches included in the operation panel of the vehicle air conditioning operating device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning operating device that allows an occupant to operate an air conditioning device, such as specifying the air blowing position, without having to sit up even when the seat is reclined, and a vehicle air conditioning system that includes the vehicle air conditioning operating device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle in which a vehicle air conditioning operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an operation panel provided in the vehicle air conditioning operating device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen of the operation panel. [Figure 4]4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the display contents of the operation panel when the operation panel on which the decorative layer is laminated is on and when it is off. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic example of a system configuration related to the operation of the vehicle air conditioning operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioning operating device that is installed inside the vehicle cabin, and is installed in a position such as the center console or door trim that is within reach of the occupant even when the seat is reclined.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle in which a vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 is incorporated into a center console 33 between a driver's seat 31 and a passenger seat 32.

[0012] In this case, even if the driver's seat 31 and the passenger seat 32 are reclined, the hands of the occupants sitting in them (leaning on the backrests) can reach the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, so the occupants can operate the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 while remaining lying down without having to sit up.

[0013] As described above, the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 may be installed on the door trim, but the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 can only be operated from the seat adjacent to the door trim (for example, if the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 is installed on the door trim on the driver's seat 31 side, only the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 31 can operate it), so it is preferable to install the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 on the center console 33 so that it can be operated from both the driver's seat 31 and the passenger seat 32.

[0014] The vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 has the function of adjusting the direction of air blown out from registers of the air conditioning device installed in the vehicle, such as registers 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b installed in the instrument panel 30. Therefore, by operating the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, even if the occupant is reclining in a seat such as the driver's seat 31, they can operate the air conditioning device, such as adjusting the air direction, without having to sit up.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the operation panel 10 provided in the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1. The operation panel 10 is a panel provided with a plurality of switches 100 for specifying the direction of air blown out from the register. Depending on which of the plurality of switches 100 is pressed, the position of the air blown out from the register is specified as a position relative to the body position of the seated occupant.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, it is preferable that a mark 101, such as a human figure that resembles a human body, is displayed on the operation panel 10. The mark 101 schematically indicates the body position of the seated occupant, and the positional relationship between each of the multiple switches 100 and the mark 101 can visually indicate the air blowing position from the register. For example, when the switch 100 closest to the head of the human figure mark 101 is pressed, the area around the head of the seated occupant can be specified as the air blowing position.

[0017] Operation panel 10 may have various other functions in addition to the function of specifying the position of the air blown from the register. In the example shown in Fig. 2, switch 102 for specifying the volume of air blown from the register and switch 103 for specifying the temperature are included on the display screen of operation panel 10. In this case, for example, the volume of air or the temperature can be specified by pressing switch 102 or switch 103 to a different position.

[0018] 2, the display screen of the operation panel 10 may also include tab switches 104 for displaying other switches, etc. By pressing and selecting one of the multiple tab switches 104, the display screen can be switched to display other switches, etc. Examples of other switches include a switch for a fragrance function that adds a scent to the air blown out from the cash register, and a switch for a light or sound effect function.

[0019] If the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 is adjacent to multiple seats, it may be possible to switch which of the multiple seats the air blowing position around should be specified. For example, if the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 is installed in the center console 33, it is possible to switch whether the air blowing position around the driver's seat 31 or the passenger seat 32 should be specified.

[0020] In this case, the human-shaped mark 101 displayed on the operation panel 10 indicates the body position of the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 31 or the body position of the occupant sitting in the passenger seat 32, depending on the switching. This switching is performed by operating a switch displayed on a part of the operation panel 10, such as a tab switch 104.

[0021] Operation panel 10 is typically a touch panel and includes a flat panel display for displaying switches 100, marks 101, etc., and a sheet-like touch sensor for detecting touch operations on operation panel 10. Operation panel 10, which is a touch panel, can have any known structure, such as an in-cell type, an on-cell type, or an external type.

[0022] The flat panel display included in the operation panel 10 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The touch sensor included in the operation panel 10 is typically a capacitance type touch sensor, but may be any other known type of touch sensor. Note that the touch sensor may detect a touch operation when the passenger's hand touches the operation panel 10 or when the passenger's hand comes into close proximity to the operation panel 10.

[0023] The operation panel 10 may be a panel other than a touch panel, for example, a panel in which the switches 100 are physical switches and the marks 101 are displayed by printing, but from the standpoint of functionality and design, it is preferable that the operation panel 10 be a touch panel.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of switches 100 having the same shape and size are arranged in an array, but the shape, size and arrangement of the plurality of switches 100 are not limited to this.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen of the operation panel 10. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the multiple switches 100 are made up of switches 100a to 100f of different shapes and sizes. Switch 100a is a switch for specifying the air blowing position to the occupant's head, switches 100b and 100c to the occupant's torso, switch 100d to the upper part of the occupant, and switches 100e and 100f to the sides of the occupant.

[0026] When the operation panel 10 is a light-emitting display panel such as a touch panel, a light-transmitting decorative layer 11 may be provided on the operation panel 10. The decorative layer 11 has a decorative pattern that becomes visible from the front side (the passenger space side in the vehicle cabin) when irradiated with light from the front side, for example, a decorative pattern that is applied all over, such as a fabric pattern or wood grain pattern.

[0027] The decorative layer 11 is made of a transparent sheet that has been decorated, such as a decorative sheet decorated with transparent ink or artificial transparent leather. The decorative layer 11 may be colorless or colored, and if colored, it can have any color. The decorative layer 11 transmits visible light emitted by the operation panel 10.

[0028] 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the display contents of the operation panel 10 when the operation panel 10 on which the decorative layer 11 is laminated is turned on and when it is turned off.

[0029] 4(a), when the operation panel 10 is turned on, the display screen of the operation panel 10 is displayed as light emitted from the operation panel 10 passes through the decorative layer 11. Normally, the light emitted from the operation panel 10 is sufficiently stronger than light such as external light that enters from the surface side of the decorative layer 11 and is reflected by the decorative layer 11, so that the display on the operation panel 10 can be clearly seen by the occupant.

[0030] On the other hand, when the operation panel 10 is off, the decorative pattern of the decorative layer 11 is displayed by light such as external light that is incident from the surface side of the decorative layer 11 and reflected by the decorative layer 11, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0031] In this case, the display of the operation panel 10 and the display of the decorative pattern of the decorative layer 11 can be switched depending on the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the operation panel 10 (for example, the driver's seat 31 or the passenger seat 32 if the operation panel 10 is installed in the center console 33).

[0032] For example, when the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the operation panel 10 is greater than a predetermined angle, the operation panel 10 can be turned on to display the screen of the operation panel 10, allowing the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 to be operated. Also, when the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the operation panel 10 is less than a predetermined angle, the occupant can reach the air conditioning operation switches included in the instrument panel 30 or the like, and there is no need to operate the operation panel 10, so the operation panel 10 can be turned off to display the decorative pattern of the decorative layer 11.

[0033] 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a system related to the operation of the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, the operation panel 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0034] The control unit 12 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for operating the control unit 12. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0035] The control unit 12 is connected to an air conditioner 20 that is the target of operation of the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1. The control unit 12 may also be connected to a vehicle control device 34 such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that performs overall vehicle settings and controls automatic driving functions.

[0036] The control unit 12 may be included in the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, or may be included outside the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, for example, in the vehicle control device .

[0037] When an occupant performs a touch operation on the operation panel 10, a touch sensor included in the operation panel 10 transmits a detection signal S1 of the detected touch operation to the control unit 12. The control unit 12, which has received the detection signal S1, transmits an operation instruction signal S4 to the air conditioner 20 to operate the air conditioner 20 in accordance with the information included in the detection signal S1 (such as the blowing position, air volume, and temperature of the air blown out from the register).

[0038] When an occupant presses one of the switches 100, information indicating which of the switches 100 has been pressed is included in the detection signal S1, and based on that information, the control unit 12 transmits an operation instruction signal S4 to the air conditioner 20 to send air to the position specified by the occupant. In other words, the control unit 12 controls the air blowing position from the register of the air conditioner 20 according to the input contents to the switches 100 included in the operation panel 10 of the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1.

[0039] For example, a table recording the correspondence between the direction of air blown out from each register and each switch 100 is stored in the ROM of the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 refers to the table to determine the direction of air blown out from each register and transmits an operation instruction signal S4 to the air conditioner 20 to control the operation of the actuators, which are the driving parts for the fins of each register.

[0040] Table 1 below shows an example of the correspondence between the direction of air blown out from each register recorded in the above table and each switch 100. Switches 100a to 100f in Table 1 correspond to switches 100a to 100f shown in FIG.

[0041] [Table 1]

[0042] Table 1 shows the correspondence relationship in the mode operated by the occupant seated in the driver's seat 31, and includes information on the direction of the air blown out from the register 21a and the register 21b. The correspondence relationship in the mode operated by the occupant seated in the passenger seat 32 includes information on the direction of the air blown out from the register 22a and the register 22b.

[0043] The table may also record the correspondence between the fin angles included in each register for each seat reclining angle and each switch 100. In this case, the control unit 12 receives a vehicle information signal S3 including information on the seat reclining angle from the vehicle control device 34, and determines the fin angles included in each register according to the seat reclining angle.

[0044] The operation panel 10 can also be switched on and off depending on the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the vehicle air conditioning operation device 1. For example, when the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the vehicle air conditioning operation device 1 is changed, the control unit 12 receives a vehicle information signal S3 including information on the reclining angle of the seat from the vehicle control device 34, determines whether to turn the operation panel 10 on or off depending on the acquired reclining angle value, and sends an instruction signal S2 to the operation panel 10 including an instruction to turn the operation panel 10 on or off.

[0045] Typically, if the acquired reclining angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, an instruction signal S2 including an instruction to turn on the operation panel 10 is sent to turn on the operation panel 10, and if the acquired reclining angle is less than the threshold, an instruction signal S2 including an instruction to turn off the operation panel 10 is sent to turn off the operation panel 10.

[0046] At this time, if a decorative layer 11 is provided on the operation panel 10, as described above, when the seat reclining angle increases and the operation panel 10 is turned off, the decorative pattern of the decorative layer 11 is displayed.

[0047] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioning operating device 1 for a vehicle that allows an occupant to operate the air conditioning device 20, such as specifying the air blowing position, without having to sit up, even when the seat is reclined.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning system comprising a vehicle air conditioning operating device 1, a vehicle air conditioning device 20, and a control unit 12 that controls the air blowing position of the register in accordance with the input contents to a plurality of switches 100 included in the operation panel 10 of the vehicle air conditioning operating device 1.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and it should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Vehicle air conditioning operating device 10 Operation panel 100, 100a~100f switch 101 marks 11 Decorative layer 12 Control Unit 20 Air conditioner 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b registers 33 Center console

Claims

1. an operation panel including a plurality of switches for specifying a position of air blown from a register of the vehicle air conditioning device relative to a position of a seated occupant's body; The operation panel is installed in a center console or a door trim. Vehicle air conditioning control device.

2. The operation panel is a touch panel. The vehicle air conditioning operating device according to claim 1.

3. a mark resembling a human body is displayed on the operation panel, and the air blowing position is visually indicated by a positional relationship between the plurality of switches and the mark; The vehicle air conditioning operating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a decorative layer having optical transparency is provided on the operation panel; The display of the operation panel and the display of the decorative pattern of the decorative layer are switched depending on the reclining angle of the seat adjacent to the operation panel. The vehicle air conditioning operating device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The vehicle air conditioning operating device according to claim 1 or 2; the vehicle air conditioning device; a control unit that controls an air blowing position of the register in accordance with input contents to the plurality of switches included in the operation panel of the vehicle air conditioning operating device; Equipped with Vehicle air conditioning systems.

Images