Vehicular switch device

Abstract

To reduce production costs and replacement costs.SOLUTION: A vehicular switch device comprises: a switch circuit part that has a plurality of switches that are brought into a conduction state in accordance with operation by a switch operation part that instructs a vehicle or a device loaded on the vehicle to operate, which generates an input voltage; and a common control part that memorizes a voltage value of the input voltage that is set for each function of the vehicle or of the device and controls the vehicle or the device loaded on the vehicle so that the function corresponding to the obtained input voltage can be obtained. The switch circuit part comprises a plurality of resistance elements into which electric currents flow when any one of the plurality of switches is brought into the conduction state. The common control part generates a control signal corresponding to the input voltage generated by the electric currents flowing into the plurality of resistance elements when any one of the plurality of switches is brought into the conduction state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle switch device including various switches for operating devices mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as private cars are equipped with lighting devices, air conditioning devices, audio devices, car navigation devices, etc., and are also equipped with vehicle switch devices including switches for operating these devices. Vehicle switch devices come in a variety of forms depending on the types of devices installed, the functions of the various devices, the model of the vehicle, etc. Furthermore, at the request of a vehicle purchaser, a dealer selling the vehicle may replace the devices in accordance with the request, and may also replace the switch devices for operating those devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-132123 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Changing a vehicle switch device to a different one depending on the type and function of various devices installed, the vehicle model, etc., increases production costs (including development and design stages) at the manufacturing site and increases replacement labor and costs at the dealership. As a result, these increased costs are reflected in the price of the vehicle, resulting in a problem of a heavy burden on the user.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a vehicle switch device that can reduce production costs and replacement costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle switch device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a switch circuit unit that generates an input voltage and has a plurality of switches that are turned on in response to operation of a switch operation unit that instructs operation of a vehicle or a device mounted on the vehicle, and a common control unit that stores a voltage value of the input voltage determined for each function of the vehicle or the device and controls the vehicle or the device mounted on the vehicle so as to obtain a function according to the obtained input voltage. The switch circuit unit includes a plurality of resistive elements through which a current flows when any of the plurality of switches is turned on. The common control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the input voltage generated by a current flowing through the plurality of resistive elements when any of the plurality of switches is turned on.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the vehicle switch device, when any of the switches in the switch circuit unit is turned on, a current flows through the resistor elements, generating an input voltage according to the current. The common control unit generates a control voltage according to the input voltage. Therefore, according to this first aspect, even if the switch operation unit is replaced to change the type or number of options, the same operation can be achieved with the same common control unit by changing the resistance value of the switch circuit unit, thereby reducing vehicle production costs and replacement costs.

[0008] A vehicle switch device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle switch device according to the first aspect, wherein each of the plurality of switches is connected in series with at least one of the plurality of resistive elements, and the switch circuit unit generates the input voltage by a voltage drop across the plurality of resistive elements when one of the plurality of switches is conductive.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the vehicle switch device, when any of the switches in the switch circuit unit is turned on, the current flowing through the resistance elements changes, and the value of the input voltage also changes. According to this second aspect, it is easy to adjust the input voltage.

[0010] A vehicle switch device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle switch device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the switch circuit unit is configured to adjust the resistance values ​​of the plurality of resistive elements. According to the vehicle switch device of the third aspect, since the resistance values ​​of the plurality of resistive elements are adjustable, it is possible to appropriately adjust the value of the input voltage.

[0011] A vehicle switch device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle switch device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the switch circuit unit can set the plurality of resistance elements to an open state. According to the vehicle switch device of the fourth aspect, by setting the resistance elements to an open state, it is possible to more accurately adjust the input voltage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle switch device that can reduce production costs and replacement costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage pattern of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage pattern of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage pattern of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage pattern of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a switch circuit section 200 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, functionally identical elements may be designated by the same numerals. Note that the accompanying drawings show embodiments and implementation examples according to the principles of the present disclosure, but these are for understanding the present disclosure and are not to be used to interpret the present disclosure in a limiting manner. The descriptions in this specification are merely typical examples and are not intended to limit the scope or application of the present disclosure in any way.

[0015] Although the present embodiment has been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present disclosure, it should be understood that other implementations and forms are possible, and that changes in configuration and structure and substitutions of various elements are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following description should not be interpreted as being limited thereto.

[0016] An overview of a vehicle switch device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. This vehicle switch device 1 includes a switch operation unit 100, a switch circuit unit 200, an input resistor 300, and a common control unit 400. In the following description, the vehicle switch device 1 is described as a device for operating lighting devices (head lamps, tail lamps, etc.), but the present invention is not limited to this, and similar vehicle switch devices can also be applied to air conditioners, audio devices, etc.

[0017] As will be described later, in this vehicle switch device 1, the switch operation unit 100 and the switch circuit unit 200 can be replaced with different units depending on the type of vehicle in which the device is installed, the functions of the devices installed in the vehicle, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. The multiple types of switch operation units 100 that can be used may differ from one another in the number of switch options and in the arrangement of the switches. Furthermore, various switch circuit units 200 can be used in accordance with the replacement of the switch operation unit 100. The multiple types of switch circuit units 200 that can be used may also differ from one another in the operation of the switches included therein and the resistance values ​​of the resistor elements.

[0018] On the other hand, the input resistor 300 (resistance value R) and the common control unit 400 are commonly used in all vehicles in which the vehicle switch device 1 may be installed, regardless of the vehicle model or the functions of the installed devices. When the vehicle switch device 1 is installed in vehicles of various vehicle models and equipped with various devices, a switch operation unit 100 and a switch circuit unit 200 suited to the vehicle model and the functions of the installed devices are adopted, but as will be described later, the common control unit 400 is configured to be compatible with various switch operation units 100 and switch circuit units 200, and even if the switch operation unit 100 and the switch circuit unit 200 are replaced or adjusted, the common control unit 400 does not need to be replaced / adjusted.

[0019] The switch operation unit 100 is a switch operated by a vehicle occupant (such as a driver) to specify the operation of the vehicle or a device installed in the vehicle, for example, to control the turning on or off of a lighting device. As shown in FIG. 1 , the switch operation unit 100 may include, for example, a switch main body 101 and a rotary operation unit 102 that can rotate about a rotation axis relative to the switch main body 101. In the case of the switch operation unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 , by rotating the rotary operation unit 102, it is possible to select, for example, headlamp on (HEAD), taillamp on (TAIL), automatic lighting control (AUTO), or light off (OFF) (four options are available). Various switch operation units 100 can be adopted depending on the vehicle model, the functions of the installed device, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. The switch operation unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the switch operation unit 100 may include, for example, multiple buttons arranged in parallel, or may be a lever-type unit.

[0020] The switch circuit section 200 is composed of a plurality of switches (four in FIG. 1) SW1 to SW4 that are switched between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the switching operation of the switch operation section 100, and resistance elements R1 to R4 that allow current to flow when the switches SW1 to SW4 are conductive. The switches SW1 to SW4 in the switch circuit section 200 are switched appropriately by operation of the switch operation section 100. As a result, the switch circuit section 200 generates an input voltage Vin corresponding to the switch operation from its output terminal T1. The configuration of the switch circuit section 200 can be changed according to the form of the switch operation section 100 employed. The switches SW1 to SW4 may be, for example, semiconductor switches that are turned on in response to an operation signal from the switch operation section 100.

[0021] The input resistor 300 has one end given with a power supply voltage (Vcc) and the other end connected to the output terminal T1 of the switch circuit section 200. The input resistor 300, together with the resistance elements R1 to R4 in the switch circuit section 200, passes a current based on the power supply voltage Vcc, generating the input voltage Vin.

[0022] The common control unit 400 is a control unit that detects the switching operation in the switch operation unit 100 based on the input voltage Vin output from the switch circuit unit 200 and executes control corresponding to the switching operation. The common control unit 400 is configured, for example, by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and, as one example, includes an input voltage storage unit 401, a switch detection unit 402, and a control signal generation unit 403 therein.

[0023] The input voltage memory unit 401 stores multiple relationships between the voltage values ​​of the input voltage Vin that can be generated by the switch circuit unit 200 and the corresponding functions of the vehicle or onboard device. The switch detection unit 402 determines the magnitude of the input voltage Vin and, based on the determined magnitude of the input voltage Vin, refers to the input voltage memory unit 401 to detect an operation of the switch operation unit 100. The control signal generation unit 403 generates a control signal corresponding to the operation of the switch operation unit 100 based on the detection result of the switch detection unit 402. In this way, the common control unit 400 of this vehicle switch device 1 stores multiple voltage values ​​of the input voltage Vin in the input voltage memory unit 401, and the control signal generation unit 403 generates a control signal corresponding to the input voltage Vin. The switch circuit unit 200 is configured to generate the stored input voltage Vin. This allows switch control by the common control unit 400 even if the switch operation unit 100 and the switch circuit unit 200 are variously modified.

[0024] The vehicular switch device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the corresponding switch operation unit 100 and switch circuit unit 200 can be replaced according to the model of the vehicle to be installed, the functions of the devices installed in the vehicle, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. For example, when the vehicular switch device 1 is installed in vehicle A, the switch operation unit 100A and switch circuit unit 200A corresponding to the model of vehicle A, the functions of the devices installed in the vehicle, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. are selected. Similarly, when the vehicular switch device 1 is installed in vehicle B, the switch operation unit 100B and switch circuit unit 200B corresponding to the model of vehicle B, the functions of the devices installed in the vehicle, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. are selected.

[0025] Similarly, when the vehicle switch device 1 is installed in a vehicle Z, a switch operation unit 100Z and a switch circuit unit 200Z are selected according to the vehicle model of the vehicle Z, the functions of the installed devices, and the preferences of the purchaser. Different switch operation units 100A, 100B, ... 100Z may have different numbers and types of selectable operations (options), and may also have different switch arrangements. Different switch circuit units 200A, 200B, ... 200Z have different resistance values ​​of the resistor elements included therein. However, in any switch circuit unit 200, the resistance values ​​of the resistor elements R1 to R4 are adjusted (or set to an open state) so that an input voltage Vin corresponding to the operation selected in the switch operation unit 100 is generated.

[0026] On the other hand, the input resistor 300 and the common control unit 400 are commonly used regardless of the vehicle model or the function of the installed device. Since only the switch operation unit 100 and the switch circuit unit 200 are replaced depending on the vehicle model or the installed device, this can contribute to reducing the production costs and man-hours at the manufacturer and the replacement costs and man-hours at the dealer.

[0027] The resistor elements R1 to R4 form a resistor circuit that passes a current based on the power supply voltage Vcc and generates an input voltage Vin by controlling the conduction of any of the switches SW1 to SW4 to drop a voltage across the resistor elements R1 to R4. In the circuit configuration example of FIG. 1, the resistor element R1 (resistance value Ra) is connected together with the switch SW1 between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2 (the resistor element R1 and the switch SW1 are connected in series between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2). Meanwhile, the resistor elements R2 (resistance value Rb), R3 (resistance value Rc), and R4 (resistance value Rd) are connected in series together with the switch SW4 between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2. The switch SW2 is connected between the connection node between the resistor elements R2 and R3 and the ground terminal N2. The switch SW3 is connected between the connection node between the resistor elements R3 and R4 and the ground terminal N2. Note that the resistor elements R1 to R4 may all be resistor elements having fixed resistance values, or may be configured using a variable resistor Rv. Furthermore, a fuse H may be connected in series to open the resistance elements R1 to R4.

[0028] Since the switch circuit section 200 has the above configuration, when the switch SW1 is turned on, the voltage value of the input voltage Vin becomes as shown in the first equation (1) of the following [Mathematical Expression 1]. Similarly, when the switches SW2 to SW4 are selectively turned on, the voltage value of the input voltage Vin becomes as shown in the second equation (2) to the fourth equation (4).

[0029]

number

[0030] The input voltage storage unit 401 stores the relationship between the multiple voltage values ​​of the input voltage Vin and the corresponding functions of the vehicle or onboard device. When the voltage value of the input voltage Vin approaches a value stored in the input voltage storage unit 401, the control signal generation unit 403 can output a control signal corresponding to the input voltage Vin.

[0031] Next, usage patterns of the vehicle switch device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Regardless of which usage pattern described below is adopted, when the same function is to be performed, the values ​​of the resistance elements R1 to R4 of the switch circuit section 200 are adjusted so that the value of the input voltage Vin generated by the switch circuit section 200 is the same.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a first usage mode (variation) in which all four switches SW1 to SW4 are used to enable four different switching operations. In this first usage mode, the switch operation unit 100 displays four options, HEAD, TAIL, AUTO, and OFF, in that order, and is configured to allow any one of them to be selected. In the switch circuit unit 200, all four switches SW1 to SW4 are used (full functionality) to correspond to the four options. When any of HEAD, TAIL, AUTO, and OFF is selected in the switch operation unit 100, any one of the switches SW1 to SW4 of the switch circuit unit 200 is brought into a conductive state. Then, the input voltage Vin output by the switch circuit unit 200 becomes one of the four values ​​of the above [Equation 1]. When the input voltage memory unit 401 of the common control unit 400 stores these four voltage values, the control signal generation unit 403 generates a corresponding control signal, and control of the lighting device corresponding to the operation on the switch operation unit 100 (turning on the head lamps, turning on the tail lamps, automatic lighting control, and lighting off control) is executed.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a second usage mode of the vehicle switch device 1. In this second usage mode, the switch operation unit 100 allows selection of three options: HEAD, TAIL, and AUTO. In response to this selection, the switches SW1 to SW3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to a conductive state. The switch SW4 is a surplus switch, and is therefore always set to a non-conductive state and unused (no function). In this case, the resistance values ​​of the resistive elements R1 to R3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to R1=Ra, B2=Rb, and R3=Rc, as in the first usage mode, and R4 is set to an open state (for example, fuse H is blown). By setting some of the resistive elements connected to the switches that have no function to an open state, leakage current can be reduced and the accuracy of the value of the generated input voltage Vin can be improved. When the switches SW1 to SW3 are switched to the conductive state, the input voltage Vin becomes as shown in the first equation (1) to the third equation (3) in the above [Equation 1], so the value of the input voltage Vin stored in the input voltage memory unit 401 of the common control unit 400 may be the same as in the first usage form.

[0034] 4 shows a third usage mode of the vehicle switch device 1. In this third usage mode, the switch operation unit 100 allows selection of two options, HEAD and AUTO, and in response to this selection, the switches SW2 and SW3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to a conductive state. The switches SW1 and SW4 are redundant and are therefore always set to a non-conductive state and unused (no function). In this case, the resistance values ​​of the resistive elements R2 and R3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to R2=Ra and R3=Rb+Rc-Ra, and the resistive elements R1 and R4 are set to an open state (for example, the fuse H is blown, the resistive elements themselves are not installed, or the switches are not installed). When the switches SW2 and SW3 are switched to the conductive state, the input voltage Vin becomes as shown in the second equation (2) and the third equation (3) in the above [Equation 1], so the value of the input voltage Vin stored in the input voltage memory unit 401 of the common control unit 400 may be the same as in the first usage form.

[0035] 5 shows a fourth usage mode of the vehicle switch device 1. In this fourth usage mode, the switch operation unit 100 allows selection of three options: HEAD, TAIL, and OFF. In response to this selection, the switches SW1 to SW3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to a conductive state. The switch SW4 is a surplus switch, and is therefore always set to a non-conductive state and unused (no function). In this case, the resistance values ​​of the resistive elements R1 to R3 in the switch circuit unit 200 are set to R1=Ra, R2=Rb, and R3=Rc+Rd, and the resistive element R4 is set to an open state (for example, the fuse H is blown, the resistive element itself is not mounted, or the switch is not mounted). When the switches SW1 to SW3 are switched to the conductive state, the input voltage Vin becomes as shown in the first equation (1) to the third equation (3) in the above [Equation 1], so the value of the input voltage Vin stored in the input voltage memory unit 401 of the common control unit 400 may be the same as in the first usage form.

[0036] As described above, in the vehicle switch device 1 of this embodiment, even if the type or number of options is changed by replacing the switch operation unit 100, the same operation can be achieved by changing the resistance value of the switch circuit unit 200 using the same common control unit 400. Even if the switch operation unit 100 is replaced, it is not necessary to change the stored value of the input voltage memory unit 401 in the common control unit 400. Therefore, with this vehicle switch device 1, by replacing the switch operation unit 100 and the switch circuit unit 200 without making any changes to the common control unit 400, it is possible to accommodate vehicles of different models or different devices, thereby reducing vehicle production costs and replacement costs. Note that the first to fourth usage patterns are merely examples, and it goes without saying that other usage patterns are also possible. Furthermore, the configuration of the switch operation unit 100 is not limited to the illustrated usage patterns.

[0037] [Variations] 1 employs a circuit configuration in which one resistor element R1 and a series circuit of three resistor elements R2 to R4 are connected in parallel between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2, but the configuration of the switch circuit section 200 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 6(a), all of the resistor elements R1 to R4 may be connected in series between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2, and the switches SW1 to SW4 may each be connected between one connection node of the resistor elements R1 to R4 and the ground terminal N2.

[0038] 6(b), all of the resistance elements R1 to R4 may be connected in parallel between the output terminal T1 and the ground terminal N2, and the switches SW1 to SW4 may be connected in series to any of the resistance elements R1 to R4. In the case of the switch circuit section 200 having the configuration shown in either of FIGS. 1, 6(a), and 6(b), it is sufficient that the value of the input voltage Vin generated by the conduction of any of the switches SW1 to SW4 is stored in the input voltage storage section 401 of the common control section 400.

[0039] [others] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100...Switch operation section 200...Switch circuit section 300...input resistance 400...Common control unit 401...Input voltage memory unit 402...Switch detection unit 403...Control signal generation unit R1 to R4: Resistance elements SW1~SW4...Switches

Claims

1. a switch circuit unit that generates an input voltage and has a plurality of switches that are turned on in response to operation of a switch operation unit that instructs operation of a vehicle or a device mounted on the vehicle; a common control unit that stores a voltage value of the input voltage determined for each function of the vehicle or the device, and controls the vehicle or the device mounted on the vehicle so that a function according to the obtained input voltage is obtained; Equipped with the switch circuit unit includes a plurality of resistance elements through which a current flows when any of the plurality of switches is brought into a conductive state; The common control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the input voltage generated by a current flowing through the plurality of resistance elements when any of the plurality of switches is turned on. A vehicle switch device comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle switch device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of switches is connected in series with at least one of the plurality of resistance elements, and the switch circuit unit generates the input voltage by voltage drops across the plurality of resistance elements when one of the plurality of switches is turned on.

3. The vehicle switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch circuit portion is configured to be able to adjust resistance values ​​of the plurality of resistance elements.

4. The vehicle switch device according to claim 3, wherein the switch circuit is configured to be able to set the plurality of resistance elements to an open state.

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